Committed to further enhancing its research output and promoting collaboration across disciplines, Banaras Hindu University has launched a new scheme that will bolster the university’s efforts in this regard. Titled 'Raja Jwala Prasad Post-Doctoral Fellowship', the new scheme aims to encourage and empower faculty members who secure external funding for research activities.
The scheme, launched under the Institution of Eminence – BHU initiative of the Government of India, enables faculty members who have garnered significant external funding to engage young researchers as postdoctoral fellows with them. The fellowship will be for one year subject to the possibility of extension of one more year based on performance and the availability of funds under loE. The fellow will receive a consolidated monthly salary of Rs. 60,000. They will also be eligible for a monthly HRA of Rs. 10,000, in addition to a contingency amount of Rs. 50,000 per annum. Furthermore, fellows will also have access to comprehensive benefits, including health services, library and access to other university resources.
The scheme named after former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, Raja Jwala Prasad, is a tribute to his towering contribution towards the success of the mission started by Mahamana, i.e. establishment of BHU. Hailing from Bijnor district of Uttar pradesh, Raja Jwala Prasad was the Chief Engineer of the state. He had designed the layout of the university and was instrumental in laying the foundation of today’s Banaras Hindu University, whose glory stands tall even after over 100 years of its coming into existence.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain said, “The Fellowship will significantly scale up research activity at the university by attracting young and talented post-doctoral researchers in large numbers. It will also contribute by preparing these young scholars for a successful academic and research career ahead. The University has availed of this opportunity to recognize the contributions of eminent engineer Raja Jwala Prasad who played a key role in development of BHU’s iconic campus, and who also served as its Pro Vice Chancellor.”
The coordinator of IoE at BHU Prof. Sanjay Kumar stated that the university recognizes the contributions of faculty members in bringing in external funding for research activities. This scheme is an endeavor to further support such faculty members in their pursuit of achieving new milestones.
The scheme also aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and research areas. It will help accelerate the progress of ongoing research projects through additional research support. The faculty members, who will be getting Raja Jwala Prasad Post-Doctoral Fellows, will act as mentors and will provide guidance and support to the fellows during their tenure at the university. Their work is expected to be published in SCOPUS indexed journals.
