Research inputs into space programme from varsities need to go up, says ex-Isro chairman

NT Bureau, Agencies

Bengaluru: Former ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan has called for creating more departments of aeronautics and aerospace in universities, and facilities in the field in the country to enhance research inputs into India's space programme.

Speaking to PTI here, he also indicated that he expects investment into the space sector to go up by two to three times from the present level as the Government is keen to support this field.

"We need to make sure that we have a good education system which produces the best aeronautics and aerospace people. So, more universities need to create that department and facilities. If necessary, ISRO should have a special programme to improve the educational component of it," the veteran space scientist, who was the Chairman of the National Education Policy draft committee, said.

Research in universities also needs to be brought up to higher levels so that they can contribute to the space programme. Right now, research inputs into the space programme from universities is very limited, whereas ISRO does support research to some extent with various universities.

"Eighty per cent of the students go to universities. So, youngsters are all there, bright minds are there. So, we need to improve that. Research, education and innovation, and industrialisation...these are things which can have much more scope", Kasturirangan, a former member of the now defunct Planning Commission of India, said.

Kasturirangan said he is extremely happy that the present government has created institutions such as the IN-SPACe) and NSILwhIch have promoted industrialisation.