Friday, November 14, 2025

📚 Knowledge Connect (28): Two-Week Online Refresher Course on “Smart Information Systems: AI in Action” scheduled from 8th to 20th December 2025

 Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from the University Library, Central University of Punjab!

The Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), Central University of Punjab, is pleased to invite applications for the Two-Week Online Refresher Course on “Smart Information Systems: AI in Action”, scheduled from 8th to 20th December 2025 under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme of the University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education, Government of India. This programme is being organized in collaboration with the University Library, Central University of Punjab.

This course aims to enhance the professional competency of library and information science faculty by focusing on Artificial Intelligence integration, digital library tools, and emerging information systems. The programme will contribute toward fulfilling the requirements laid down in the UGC Career Advancement Scheme (CAS).

Who Can Apply:
Library Professionals and  Faculty members  (Permanent, Contractual, or Ad-hoc) working in universities and colleges recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act. Teachers from affiliated colleges in existence for at least three years are also eligible.

Important Dates:

  • Course Dates: 8th – 20th December 2025
  • Last Date for Registration: 20th November 2025
  • Confirmation Email: 25th November 2025
  • Mode: Online (Google Meet Platform)

Registration Details:

  1. There is no registration fee for participation.
  2. Register yourself at 
  3. https://mmc.ugc.ac.in
  4. On the MMTTP dashboard, apply for the Refresher Course and select Centre Name: Central University of Punjab.
  5. Upload the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your parent institution.

In case you are unable to obtain the NOC immediately, you may submit a self-declaration at the time of registration and forward the NOC before the programme starts. 

You may visit https://mmc.ugc.ac.in to register. After registration, kindly update your profile with your photograph and ID card. Once your profile is updated, go to Programme → Refresher Course → Month: December → Date: 8th, and from the list of events, select Central University of Punjab, then click Apply Now.

As the number of seats is limited, selection will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

For any queries, please contact:


Dr. Bhupinder Singh Brar
Assistant Librarian & Course Coordinator
Central University of Punjab
Email:  bhupinder.brar@cup.edu.in

Phone: +91-98886-31058

https://cup.edu.in/mmttc/activities.php 

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

SERB - POWER Research Grants

 Objectives :

This scheme aims to encourage emerging and eminent women researchers for an individual-centric and competitive mode of research funding to undertake R&D activities in frontier areas of science and engineering.


Eligibility :

Applicants [Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator(s) (Co-PI(s))] should be Indian citizens.

The applicant(s) must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution or national laboratory or in any other recognized R&D institution in India.

Applicants from IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, and National Labs of Central Government Institutions will be considered under Level I Category, whereas applicants from State Universities / Colleges and Private Academic Institutions should apply under Level II Category.

There is a mandatory requirement for female CO-PI from the same institute.

Male CO-PI is not allowed in POWER Grant Research Scheme.

PhD guide cannot be a CO-PI.

PIs who have already got a POWER Grant, are not allowed to apply again in POWER Grant Scheme.

JC Bose fellows and the PIs who have already completed two CRG are not allowed to apply for POWER Grant Research Scheme.

The number of CO-PIs should not exceed two per project.

The budget under the equipment head is limited to not more than Rs 14 lakh for Tier II institutions (30 lakh limit).

Nature and Duration of Support :

POWER Grants will empower women researchers by funding them under following two categories:


Level I: The scale of funding up to 60 lakhs for three years.

Level II: The scale of funding up to 30 lakhs for three years.

The POWER Grant is provided for equipment, manpower, consumables, travel, and contingency. "Overheads" is also being provided to the implementing institution as per prevailing norms of SERB.

POWER Grant will be regulated through terms of reference conforming to SERB-CRG guidelines.

Application & Selection Procedure :

The SERB-Core Research Grant (CRG) Platform will be used to identify and support women scientists under the POWER Research Grant component. The proposals will be received only in direct mode.

The selection will be based on the recommendations of the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) constituted by the Board. If required, the applicants may be called for discussion/ presentation.

Name of the program: SERB – POWER Research Grants

Program Coordinator: Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, Scientist G

Program Officer: Dr Monika Agarwal, Scientist F

SERB - POWER Fellowship

 Objectives :

The fellowship is designed to identify and reward excellent women researchers in Indian academic institutions and R&D laboratories, holding Ph.D. degree in any branch of science and engineering.


Eligibility :

The nominee should be an active scientist with an excellent record of research performance as an independent investigator.

The nominee should be in regular service throughout the duration of Fellowship.

The nominee should be an Indian citizen between 35-55 years of age working in institutions in India.

The nominee should not be receiving any other fellowships from Government sources during the tenure.

Nature and Duration of Support :

Fellowship of Rs. 15,000/- per month in addition to regular income.

Research grant of Rs. 10 lakh per annum. Research grant can be used for minor equipment, manpower, consumables, contingencies, and domestic travel.

Overheads for the host institute.

Fellowship duration will be fixed for three years, without the possibility of extension.

Successful POWER Fellows cannot be re-nominated for a second time.

Application & Selection Procedure :

Applications for POWER fellowships are invited through nominations. The nominations should be sent by the Heads of the Institutions or Fellows of National Academies.

The nominations will be received throughout the year through online (www.serbonline.in) only.

Selection of POWER Fellows will be made twice a year by a specially constituted Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted for the purpose.


Name of the program: POWER Fellowship

Program Coordinator: Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, Scientist G

Program Officer: Dr Monika Agarwal, Scientist F


Source: https://serb.gov.in/page/english/power_fellowship


DST DFG joint call on International Research Training Groups (IRTG)

International Research Training Groups IRTGs, in which German universities cooperate with research institutions in other countries, combine innovative top-level research and the structured promotion of excellent early career researchers. As bilateral collaborations set up by experienced scientists, IRTGs promote systematic scientific cooperation through joint research programmes and corresponding qualification measures for post doctoral researchers.

For more details: https://onlinedst.gov.in/Projectproposalformat.aspx

BIRAC Announces 25th Call for Proposal under BIG Scheme Last date to apply - 30th November, 2025 05:30 PM

Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Section 8 ‘Not-for-Profit Company’ of Government of India, has been set up as DBT’s interface agency, to serve as a single window for emerging biotech companies.

The scheme enables Startups to pursue a promising technology idea, and establish and validate proof of concept (POC) for the idea.

Click here to view Guidelines  

Click here to register for BIG Scheme

Monday, November 3, 2025

Springer Nature: Submit Your Book Idea

Research aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) holds powerful potential to shape policy, inform practice, and drive real-world change. By publishing your work as an open access (OA) book with Springer Nature, you can significantly amplify its reach and impact. On average, our OA books and chapters receive 10 times more downloads, 2.4 times more citations, and 10 times more online mentions than their non-OA counterparts. Make your insights accessible—globally and immediately—to those who can turn them into action. 

Submit your book idea

A book can bridge disciplines and sectors with comprehensive analysis that reflects the interconnected multidisciplinary nature of SDG challenges. Whether your book idea is fully developed or just beginning to take shape, we welcome your proposal. Submit it without obligation, and a publishing editor will reach out to explore next steps.


Source: https://www.springernature.com/gp/authors/publish-a-book