SPARK to strengthen the research base of Ayurveda students at UG level
27-Sep-22 06:19:01
As part of the SPARK programme, students will be given fellowships to carry out their research work in their chosen topic
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has developed the Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) to nurture the research temperament among the students pursuing Bachelors of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS). The decision has been taken by CCRAS to strengthen the research foundation of the students from an undergrad level itself so that they undertake quality research at the postgraduate and at doctorate level. Students who take up the research work on any subject will need to complete it within two months. Interested candidates will need to submit their research proposals through SPARK portal which will be evaluated by the experts. Initially, there are only 100 seats for this SPARK programme, but it will be increased in times to come depending upon the students’ response and the quality of research work undertaken by them.
Speaking to Education Times, Rabinarayan Acharya, director general, CCRAS, says, “We have designed the SPARK programme meant for undergraduate students in Ayurvedic colleges of the country with the help of technical experts of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The programme has been introduced as per the guidelines of ICMR. Initially, there will be 100 seats for this programme at pan India level, but more number of seats will be created in times to come depending upon the students’ response and assessment of their research work. As per the SPARK programme, students would need to pursue research on any subject related to their syllabus during four and half years of their UG. However, students will only get three chances to get their research idea approved by CCRAS and would need to complete it within a duration of two months. As part of working on this project, students can test their research innovation or observations on a prepared format. CCRAS would provide a sum of Rs 50,000 to the students which would be instrumental in helping them carry out qualitative research.”
“In the final year of Bachelors of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) there is a separate paper of research methodology which would also be instrumental in creating an ecosystem of research amongst students,” adds Acharya.
Sanjeev Sharma, director, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, says, “SPARK programme will be instrumental in developing a research attitude and knowledge base amongst students from an undergrad level itself. This programme has been designed with an aim to motivate students to pursue research at an early age so that they produce quality research at PG and also at the doctoral level. This programme will broaden the research ecosystem in Ayurvedic Sciences.”
SOURCE: EDUCATION TIMES