Eureka

Then entire lot of molecular biologist use a gene called neomycin resistance gene for selection purposes. Any cell that contains neomycin resistance gene will become resistant neomycin and its ilk, including streptomycin. As a graduate student I showed that the gene product converts neomycin and its ilk into a small molecule that inhibits a specific class of ATP hydrolyzing enzymes.

No body believed us. Joel had no grant to work with because he was believed to be an heretic. I managed to get some grant by being devious and by being in India.

We then showed that when you put the neomycin resistance gene into a cell, the cell's genetic content changes. This was a powerful data but the proof was missing. I have finally have the proof that yes, the whole genetic/cellular make up of a mammalian cell changes.

What we are actually saying is that 30 years of work done in the field might be suspect. More importantly, the spate of papers that has come out on the protein that I work with is suspect.

I am sitting back and savoring the moment with a grin on my face.

The reservation/antireservation hungama

My colleague is being hounded out ever since he signed a petition asking for review of the reservation policy. As I said in the previous blog, UGC/MHRD in its wisdom has decreed that assistant professor, associate professor, and professor positions will be reserved. He insists that all he ever said was that if this decree was not legally binding can we have a discussion on it before implementing it. The pro-reservation brigade is baying for his blood because they perceive this as an anti-reservation stand. He is going hoarse telling people that he is not anti-reservation. He is aghast at the obdurateness of the pro-reservation brigade.

They are not even willing to listen, he complained.

Oh well. That is exactly what the anti-reservation/YFE said when the government instituted the reservation policy at undergraduate and postgraduate degree. Then every one, including the very same colleague, defended the policy. Now that he is at the receiving end, he wants a civilized debate on the issue.

I had a chat with him today. He finally agreed that 60 years of reservation has not changed the social equality position. If anything, people are more rigid than before on this issue. The lines have solidified instead of blurring. Everyone is clamoring for reservation. And as my colleague pointed out, when it comes to fighting for justice for the sweepers, not one stands up. So where is the equality or social justice?

Poor chap! He is quite disillusioned.

M.Phil degree- The way of the Universities

M.Phil degree is something between M.Sc and Ph.D. There is compulsory course work followed by dissertation defense. In my University, we admit students under the guise of M.Phil/Ph.D and then based on their performance in the course work promote them to direct Ph.D. In the social sciences, a M.Phil is mandatory before doing Ph.D.
Today I received an email from a student in University of Kerala, Department of Biochemistry. He is doing M.Phil and has completed his course work. Now he is searching for a lab to do dissertation work for 6 months.
I am amused and flabbergasted. What is the Department of Biochemistry up to? They don't have faculty who are doing active research? If not, why offer a M.Phil degree? Is this how they offer Ph.D degrees too? Palm them off to some other University for experimentation work? More to the point, what is the UGC doing? How can they allow this to happen?

Of course, on the other hand, it is amusing to know that one can obtain M.Phil this way too.

Finally, what is the future of such a student?

Quota for the faculty

I was out of touch with the happenings in the University for goodish part of last year. But I am back in action now.

The first thing that was brought to my notice was the implementation of reservation at all levels of faculty appointment.

This is mandated by UGC and if I am not mistaken the MHRD has issued a notification. All Universities have to abide by the notification.

So it happened that we also have to abide by it. Only the professors are opposed to it. Their argument: It will dilute the standard of the University.

What standard I would like to ask? Where is the standard? Most of our teachers do not bother to teach or if they do teach, they get away by teaching sub-standard stuff. There are some who are extremely innovative. They offer three different courses but teach the same thing in all the courses. Is this the standard we want to maintain?

Okay, I will abide by your argument that standard will be diluted. But then why doesn´t the same argument hold up when we talk of reservations for students? Shouldn´t admission be made on the basis of aptitude? Where was the standard when it was mandated that reservations should be implemented for PhD admissions? Where was the uproar when reservations were being implemented in medical and engineering schools? Shouldn´t aptitude and merit be the sole criteria?

Or is this noise is being made because it affects the teaching faculty themselves? Our children can be safely sent abroad to study so the reservations at that level is not a big issue. But where are livelihood is concerned, we will oppose the implementation of quota.

The truth of the matter is that there is severe discrimination against the lower castes. The need of the hour is to teach equality to our children and try to rectify the issue from the beginning but who has the time?