Scottish Church College: Progressing in R&D Studies with Experience and Innovation

Dr. Madhumanjari Mandal

Principal

India has been a land of research and development since time immemorial, from Aryabhatta’s invention of zero to Ramanujan’s contributions to the number system. This progress continues today, with educational institutions playing a fundamental role in this growth. These institutions have nurtured the talents of students and made them capable in their chosen fields. Scottish Church College in Kolkata is one such old and reputable institution that has produced world leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda, who have gained recognition through its education.

R&D has been at the core of Scottish Church College since its establishment in 1830, and tremendous development has taken place in this wing over the past 194 years. The college has a dedicated R&D Cell and provides grants to professors and students for their research. “The college has established its R&D Cell following the UGC guidelines. Faculty from the departments of Botany, Mathematics, and Physics have executed many projects under the DST and have published their research in foreign journals as well. Recently, it received a DST-FIST grant of 1.02 Cr INR for the development of our PG wing,” mentioned Dr. Madhumanjari Mandal, Principal of Scottish Church College.

Nurturing Capabilities

The college is very keen on development and constantly strives for improvement in research studies. Apart from creating a unique R&D cell, the college has also established the Scottish Church College Faculty Research Grant (SCCFRG) to facilitate on-campus research. Professors from various departments can apply for this grant to bring their research to life. The college provides funds to both teachers and students to publish their papers in foreign journals. Through this initiative, the institution has ignited curiosity in individuals who now feel more dedicated to R&D studies. Success in R&D has been a proven fact for Scottish Church College, as it is ranked among the top 100 colleges under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2023.

The college is not only progressing in science and technology research but also expanding its influence in the spheres of economics and literature. "For science streams, SERB grants can be relied upon. However, for humanities streams, UGC grants were applicable before but have since been closed. This is why our college has taken the initiative to support R&D in the humanities. We have notable alumni who are currently making significant contributions in these fields and have published many research papers in reputed journals worldwide," mentioned the Principal.

The college has recently opened an Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) cell supported by the West Bengal Government’s Department of Science and Technology (DST). It has also established an innovation cell on campus that operates under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). A grant of 50 thousand INR has been sanctioned by the WB Government’s DST for the establishment of the Scottish Church College’s IPR cell. This has been one of the notable achievements for an educational institution in India, creating not only a unique R&D infrastructure but also providing the necessary resources to help it grow and prosper.

Apart from the R&D cell, the college has opened several other cells under the guidance of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA). These include the Service Learning Cell, Peace Cell, and Women and Gender Development Cell. Regarding service learning and whole person development, UBCHEA is providing significant support to the institution. “We have stressed knowledge gained through experiential learning. The college has also been selected to spread its learning in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country and in Bangladesh as well,” stated the Principal.

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We have established our R&D cell following the UGC guidelines. Faculty from the departments of Botany, Mathematics, and Physics have executed many projects under the DST and have published their research in foreign journals as well
– Dr. Madhumanjari Mandal , Principal

Looking Ahead

Scottish Church College has been spreading education for close to 200 years and has gained considerable recognition globally, especially in Asia, by helping alumni and faculty achieve their career goals. Apart from government grants, the college has also received grants from notable individuals to boost the R&D studies department. The research lab at the college houses many technologies and pieces of equipment that cannot be found in any other college in the state. Recently, the college signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Wadhwani Foundation, which will help integrate AI systems into the institution's existing Learning Management System (LMS).

“We have applied for a BOOST Grant from West Bengal DST for 25 lakh INR, which is currently under process and is expected to be approved soon. We are also trying to associate with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce to further boost our R&D studies in the years to come,” concluded the Principal.