India has cemented its position as the world's third-largest producer of research output, surpassing the United Kingdom, according to data presented at a joint seminar organized by the Ministry of Education and Elsevier. The seminar, held in preparation for the 4th G20 Education Working Group meeting, emphasized the critical role of accessible science and collaboration in driving sustainable development. Global academic leaders, policy experts, and researchers gathered to discuss best practices and explore avenues for utilizing science to support global progress.
India's scholarly output has experienced a remarkable upward trajectory, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of approximately 11% over the past two decades. Building on this momentum, India has overtaken the UK in research output, now ranking third globally behind the United States and China. This milestone showcases India's growing prominence in the international research landscape.
Notably, India's academic achievements extend beyond sheer quantity. The country's Field Weighted Citation Impact, an international measure of research quality, has improved from 0.85 in 2019 to 1.05 in 2021, surpassing the global average for publication citations. Furthermore, the Indian government's emphasis on driving qualitative research has propelled the country to achieve the 40th ranking in WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2022.
Hon'ble MoS Shri Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Ministry of Education, inaugurated the seminar by highlighting the importance of inclusivity and innovation in strengthening global ties with higher education institutions. Recognizing the significance of accessible science in addressing global challenges, India's G20 Presidency aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem that transcends borders. Embracing open science principles such as data sharing, research reproducibility, and robust societal impacts will pave the way for a brighter future through scientific innovation.
Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary Higher Education, Ministry of Education, GOI, emphasized the need for cooperation and knowledge exchange to build a thriving ecosystem that transcends national boundaries. Enhancing research output requires fostering collaborations among universities and academic institutions, enabling solutions for global challenges and making a visible impact on collaborative endeavors.
Dr. Nick Fowler, Chief Academic Officer at Elsevier and Chair of The International Association of STM Publishers, highlighted the interconnectedness between India's stellar research performance and the global trend toward accessible science. As scientific findings become more readily accessible, researchers worldwide can utilize and build upon these findings, thereby enhancing academic quality. Dr. Fowler urged India to optimize opportunities for expanding global collaborations, particularly with G20 countries, as academic papers developed through international collaborations in India have been cited twice as often as those without international collaboration.
During the seminar, an exclusive Elsevier report, 'Fostering collaboration: a study of scientific publications with authors in G20 countries,' commissioned by the Ministry of Education, was presented by Dr. Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, Senior Vice President at Elsevier and Professor Emeritus, State University of Campinas. The report highlighted the evolving research landscape, with countries from the Global South, including India, gaining increasing relevance in research and science. India's collaboration efforts, particularly in addressing Sustainable Development Goal #2, focused on reducing hunger globally, were recognized as contributing to the country's rapid scientific production growth.
The main discussion session featured esteemed panelists who shared insights on fostering collaboration between G20 countries, utilizing accessible multi-lingual regional resources, and implementing multi-lateral open facilities. Additionally, approaches to enhancing academic interactions to meet the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals were explored. The panelists included distinguished individuals from academic and research institutions, as well as representatives from the G20, German Embassy in India, and Elsevier.
The seminar concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Nagaraj Balasubramanian, Associate Professor at IISER Pune. The participants discussed strategies for expanding capacity in terms of infrastructure and human resources, emphasizing the importance of global research interactions. Various models and initiatives were explored to facilitate collaboration and further accelerate India's growth in scientific research.
India's ascent as a global powerhouse in scientific research highlights the nation's commitment to accessible science, collaboration, and achieving sustainable development goals. With its impressive achievements and potential, India is poised to make significant contributions to scientific innovation and address pressing global challenges through research and collaboration.
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