Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Initiative

About Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Initiative:

• It is an initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
• Objectives:
  • Stimulate scientific innovation in institutions with limited research in a mentorship mode by leveraging the knowledge and expertise of top-ranking institutions.
  • Support internationally competitive research with substantial impact and outcome.
  • Foster successful and productive collaborative networks between diverse institutions.
  • Propel the advancement of institutions by (i) upscaling and building advanced research infrastructure and capabilities, (ii) enhancing the quality of research, and (iii) facilitating infusion of best practices and research culture.
• While being alignedwith the objectives set by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the PAIR programme will cultivate research excellence in central and state public universities by fostering collaborations with top-tier institutions via a mentorship-driven hub and spoke model.
  • The hubs will guide emerging institutions (spokes) in research activities,provide access to harness their resources and expertise, thus bridging the gap between institutions and nurturing a robust research ecosystem in India.
  • In the first phase, the Hub institutions would include the top 25 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) overall ranking as well as Institutions of National Importance within the top 50 NIRF overall ranking.
  • The spoke institutions will include, Central and State Public Universities and select NITs and IIITs.
• Eligibility conditions would be expanded to include other universities and institutions in the subsequent phases.
  • Each PAIR network would consist of one hub and up to seven spoke institutions.
  • Only one proposal per hub institution is allowed, with a mandatory involvement ofmulti-departmental faculty teams from spoke institutions.
  • Regional diversity among participants will also be ensured.
• The programme would help stimulate innovation in emerging institutions by leveraging mentorship from high-ranking institutions.

Key Facts about Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):

• The ANRF has been established with the ANRF 2023 Act.
• The ANRF aims to seed, grow, and promote research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
• ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
• With the establishment of ANRF, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), established by an act of Parliament in 2008, has been subsumed into ANRF. 
• ANRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions and create an interface mechanism for the participation and contribution of industries and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries.

Q1: What is the National Education Policy 2020?

The new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is the first education policy of the 21st century in India, which replaces the previous National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986. The Ministry of Education formed a committee under Dr. K Kasturirangan, which outlined this new policy. The NEP 2020 proposes various reforms in school and higher education, including technical education, that are suited to 21st-century needs. 5 foundational pillars of NEP 2020: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability. This policy is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

News: Centre launches initiative to support research, innovation in varsities