Chennai is preparing to become a key research powerhouse. The city will see the launch of an Advanced Research Centre for Basic Sciences in Taramani, with the project slated to be ready by the next academic year.
This new institute will function as a full‑degree‑granting research university, offering master’s, PhD and post‑doctoral programmes across physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology. The Tamil Nadu government has announced two such flagship centres – one in Chennai and the other in Coimbatore – as part of a broader strategy to revitalize core science education in the state.
In building the programmes, the state is seeking partnerships with top national and international scholars. Institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Italy will provide academic support. A senior official from the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education said: “The objective is to build centres that will focus purely on advanced basic science research. We are exploring tie‑ups to ensure that the academic, research, and mentoring frameworks match global standards,” the official said.
The Chennai campus will occupy five acres at Taramani, while the Coimbatore site will be spread over twenty acres near Bharathiar University. Both campuses will run graduate courses in the four mentioned disciplines. Entry will hinge on a detailed assessment of a candidate’s research aptitude, and successful applicants will receive fellowships comparable to those offered by India’s premier research institutions.
Across India, roughly thirty major science research institutes exist, with Kerala and Odisha recently establishing similar centres. Tamil Nadu aims to join this growing community to boost high‑quality research and create new scientific employment opportunities. The move comes as basic science undergraduate enrolments—such as BSc Physics and BSc Mathematics—have been falling.
To counter this trend, the state has outlined an extensive plan, including specialised faculty training to enhance science teaching, residential coaching camps for undergraduates preparing for national research entrance examinations, and a full upgrade of laboratory infrastructure in colleges. By strengthening the pipeline from undergraduate studies to cutting‑edge research, officials hope the new centres will position Tamil Nadu as a leading hub for fundamental science in the coming years.
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