ICSSR – Springer Nature’s India Research Tour 2024 Makes Pit-Stop at IIM Kozhikode
Kozhikode : The Springer Nature India Research Tour 2024 reached IIM Kozhikode as part of its nationwide journey to engage with India’s leading academic institutions. The event, held in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, reflects IIM Kozhikode’s commitment to promoting high-quality research as a pillar for academic excellence and societal development. This is the second consecutive year the all-India tour is being organised by these stakeholders after having first initiated it in 2023.
The India Research Tour 2024, hosted at IIM Kozhikode, aims to bring together key stakeholders to discuss and implement strategies that will promote research development. The event featured a range of activities, including insightful discussions, masterclasses, and keynote speeches, focusing on the significance of open access publishing and research integrity. The Tour will be covering 9 States, 18 cities and 28 prominent institutions for the 2024 edition.
The tour commenced with the flagging off of the India Research Tour Bus at IIM Kozhikode’s iconic Arjuna Path, led by IIM Kozhikode’s Director, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee and Mr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, Springer Nature India, alongside distinguished guests – Prof. (Retd) T. Tirupati Rao, Council Member, ICSSR and Mr. Ed Gerstner, Director, Research Environment Alliances, Springer Nature, London.
Director Prof. Debashis Chatterjee expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the Kerala leg of this prestigious tour at the Institute “At IIM Kozhikode, we have long believed that cutting-edge research is a co-requisite for providing outstanding education and addressing the complex challenges of development. Collaborations like this, which unite academic and publishing communities, and are vital to fostering a culture of research excellence. This tour is also an excellent opportunity to discover the country through new lenses and usher in new perspectives in research.”
Mr Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, delivered the Welcome Note highlighting the importance of fostering a robust research environment in India and added “It’s an honor to be here at the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, one of India’s fastest-growing and top management schools. At Springer Nature, we recognize the vital role that institutions like IIM Kozhikode play in shaping the future of research and innovation. Today’s discussions underscore our shared commitment to advancing research by meeting researchers and understanding their challenges. Research Integrity in Science and Education is a major concern. By fostering transparency and collaboration, our endeavour is to make knowledge accessible to all, empowering researchers to contribute meaningfully to global solutions.”
Prof. (Retd) T. Tirupati Rao, a member of the ICSSR Council, gave the Keynote Address, emphasizing the role of research in shaping India’s future. Identifying Research Integrity, Open Access and Transformative Agreements as the pillars of pushing boundaries of Research in India, he also cautioned the research community against falling prey to plagiarism, data falsification and unethical practices.
The event also featured a RISE Masterclass by Mr Ed Gerstner focusing on global trends in research integrity and how institutions can adapt to meet these challenges. The Masterclass was followed by sessions on “Open Access” and “Editorial Excellence” by other members of the visiting Springer Nature’s team. A panel discussion on ‘Research Integrity and Its Role in Strengthening Management Education’, featuring faculty members from IIM Kozhikode and team members from Springer Nature, was also held. The event concluded with 5 women Doctoral Scholars selected from IIM Kozhikode giving a presentation on their areas of Research under the ‘Her research, Our Future’ segment of the event.
This event at IIM Kozhikode is part of the broader Springer Nature India Research Tour 2024, which is traveling across key academic and research institutions in the country. The tour aims to inspire and support the research community in promoting open access, transparency, and research excellence.