Pune: World Peace University (WPU) Goa recently launched doctoral programmes with a focus on interdisciplinary research and solutions to real-world problems, with Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant urging scholars to use the state’s biodiversity, rivers, coastline and cultural heritage as subjects for research.Speaking at the inauguration of the programmes, Sawant said Goa should regain recognition for its academic institutions, research and innovation, and called on researchers to explore the state’s natural and cultural resources. “I urge the scholars to let Goa itself be your laboratory. Our coast, rivers and the Western Ghat biodiversity, our language, culture and our living heritage of the Konkani and Goan tradition.”Samir Kamat, chairperson of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said problems facing society could not be solved by experts working in isolation. “Problems that face the society today cannot be solved by people with expertise only in one domain. You need to solve these problems by forming teams with expertise in different domains.”Satish Tripathi, chancellor of WPU-Goa’s governing board and president emeritus of the University at Buffalo, echoed the need for interdisciplinary research. “Nature does not create a problem to be solved by electrical engineers, or environmentalists, or computer scientists. The real problems are solved in a transdisciplinary fashion.”Rahul Karad, managing trustee of MAEER’s MIT and executive president of WPU-Goa and MIT World Peace University, said universities should identify and address societal problems rather than function merely as degree-awarding institutions.The event also saw the presentation of Dr Mashelkar Awards to five scientist-researchers in recognition of their contributions to scientific research and innovation.
