In addition to serving as the Chairman and Chancellor of the NIMS University in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Dr. Balvir S. Tomar is a well-known researcher, academic, and businessman. Dr. Tomar has played a significant role in advancing the growth and development of NIMS University into a leading institution in India because of his profound commitment to education, research, and innovation. He has become a key player in influencing India's educational landscape thanks to his exceptional leadership and support for research.
Dr. B S Tomar began working as an Assistant Professor at SMS Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where he first began his research to find a cure for the 100% fatal paediatric disease known as Indian Childhood Cirrhosis. He discovered in 1983 that D-penicillamine was successful in completely curing the illness. Dr. Tomar's research was eventually published in the Indian Journal of Paediatrics and Advanced in Paediatrics (USA) as a result of this discovery.
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It is not surprising that Dr. Balvir S. Tomar, who enjoys researching and learning about new technological and medical advancements, considers the dearth of research institutes in India to be a challenge and looks for every chance to address it.
Dr. Balvir S. Tomar has emphasised the urgent need for India to establish more research institutes in order to compete with developed countries in the field of research and development in an appeal to recognise India as a scientific power. Dr. Tomar stressed the importance of closing the gap between India and other top countries in research and innovation while emphasising the enormous potential of India's scientific and technological talent.
India must catch up to other developing nations like China, Brazil, and Russia in research and development despite its extensive scientific history. India has a large number of highly skilled scientists and engineers, but its research output and R&D spending fall short of international standards. India currently spends only 0.7% of its GDP on research and development, the World Bank reports, as opposed to 2.2% to 4.2% in industrialised countries like the United States, China, and South Korea.
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India's ranking on the Global Innovation Index also illustrates the necessity of placing more emphasis on R&D. Despite moving up from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2021, the country still has a long way to go before it can catch up to the world's top innovators. Additionally, according to the Scopus database, India's average number of citations per publication in 2019 was 7.9, below China's 12.5 and the world average of 12.3.
Dr. Tomar emphasised the significance of increasing research expenditures to support India's growth and international competitiveness. While others prioritise delivering high-quality education, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has already acknowledged the need for research universities and proposed designating about 100 institutions as such. India can distinguish its research universities transparently and promote a culture of high-quality research and innovation by implementing a trustworthy classification framework and important research metrics.
India must place a high priority on interdisciplinary research universities if it wants to excel in research and development. Indian universities can better prepare themselves to deal with the complex problems of the modern world by increasing the size of existing institutions, adding new subjects, and promoting interdisciplinary cooperation.
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Dr. Tomar called for greater participation of Indian academics abroad who can contribute their knowledge and expertise in establishing research universities while acknowledging India's current advantages, such as widespread English proficiency and a talented diaspora. India's research capabilities can be greatly improved through cooperation with the Indian diaspora and foreign research institutions.
Increased funding is essential for supporting research universities and advancing research in a variety of fields, Dr. Tomar emphasised. It's a step in the right direction that the National Research Foundation (NRF) has been given 2,000 crore rupees under the Union Budget 2023–2034. To achieve the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy's goal of allocating 2% of GDP to research and development by 2022, more significant investment is necessary.
Dr. Balvir S. Tomar's proactive approach to the creation of research institutes emphasises the necessity for India to make significant investments in R&D to compete with developed nations. India can unleash its enormous potential and solidify its position as a global intellectual and scientific powerhouse by giving research universities top priority, increasing funding, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration.
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He was inspired to create labs that offer both advanced machinery knowledge and a creative edge after noticing the rapid spread of technologies, particularly when tech giants like Google announced AI for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy.
Then, Dr. Tomar made the decisive move to establish an advanced R&D lab on the NIMS University campus. This lab will have enormous potential for both students and faculty and create a framework that promotes knowledge sharing, skill development, and technological advancement.
NIMS University Jaipur's AI Lab Centre of Excellence has increased the pride of NIMS. It is a cutting-edge facility that serves as a hub for interdisciplinary study, investigation, and discovery. It offers a collaborative environment where academics and business experts can cooperate to advance artificial intelligence, computer vision, deep learning, and machine learning.
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Following the recommendations of NABH and WSO, NIMS University has partnered with Siemens Healthineers to open the first stroke management centre in India. With a strong infrastructure that includes exceptional radiology suites, MRI equipment, general neurology and neurosurgery facilities, and the first 384 slices dual-source CT in Rajasthan, this initiative, known as the NIMS Heart and Brain Hospital (NHBH), will be focused on cardio-logical and brain-related diseases.
Dr. B S Tomar is also actively pursuing international partnerships that will let students in and expose them to top-notch research, innovation, and development programmes.
Dr. Balvir Singh Tomar, known as the "Father of Indian Paediatric Gastroenterology," argues that because our students are such a rich source of talent, diasporas should be involved in international scientific communication. He also emphasises the fact that there are currently university presidents and provosts at American universities who are Indian. Even though they are from another country, they continue to contribute knowledge about developing research universities.
The Professor emphasises that the most talented academics require a productive academic environment, which necessitates careful consideration, effective planning, and adequate resources. The Professor also boasts a sizeable cadre of highly successful academics and researchers at home and abroad.
In addition, there is a demand, and we are making some intriguing efforts, says the chairman of the NIMS University Rajasthan. In conclusion, India needs to catch up significantly in the area of research and development. With the right investments, we can lead the world in innovation and technology, but we must act quickly.
Dr. Tomar wants to operate the research university's fundamental concept in accordance with accepted standards used by the best institutions in the world. This is the foundation of NIMS R&D.