If marine
biologists are to be believed, in the deepest, darkest parts of the oceans,
there exist eco-systems that are much more diverse than a tropical rainforest.
Interestingly enough, man is yet to explore a majority of these. If one is
excited about pursuing a career in ocean research, then the national institute
of oceanography (NIO) is the place to be. Doing pioneering research in the
traditional branches as diverse as chemical oceanography and marine geology,
the institution opens up myriad opportunities for students who have an abiding
interest for life under the sea
so if you dream of an ocean research career
, then it's a good idea to plan early. PS Parameswaran, chief scientist, NIO,
Kochi sheds light on the eligibility criteria to get into the Coveted
institution, "Students having M.sc Degree in the physical oceanography,
Marine science or marine geology are potential candidates for NIO. Those from
traditional courses like chemistry, or zoology as well as interdisciplinary
science's Like Biotechnology or Micro Biology can also apply".
Quite recently, CSIR started a related
academic wing. All 38 CSIR labs will admit students from across the country
through an interview process. "Two semesters of coursework, and then these
selected students can join a faculty member to commence his PhD programmer."
explains Parameswaran. Those students who can crack the CSIR-UGC NET exam will
have an added advantage, as they get preference.
Kusum komal Karati, who recently submitted
his PhD thesis in marine science, was at this chatty best when asked about his
NIO stint. “NIO was too good an experience. As a student, where else do you get
the chance for an underwater cruise lasting 40days?” asks Kusum, still brimming
with excitement. The PhD student considers himself lucky to have been part of a
big project – doing marine research on living resources in India’s Exclusive
economic Zones. “The best thing about the underwater cruises is the opportunity
it presents to come face to face with life on the sea bed, what we otherwise
learn from textbooks” says KUSUM.
Parameswaran
also points out that successful completion of the PhD programmer will ensure
that the student is going places. While many go abroad
For varying
durations of doctoral studies, there are others who choose to stay back and do
continuing work in India as scientist and the best collection of printed
literature on ocean sciences in the country, little wonder that NIO (Goa) And
its regional center s are recognized research centers of many
universities. During the early 1980s,
NIO organized the first scientific expedition to the Antarctica. The
institution has acclaimed ocean research vessels like sindusankalp and goes on
Like all research institutions
of repute, the ocean research institution is keen on nurturing the young minds
too. Looking to purse a scientific project as part of your academic curriculum?
Every year school and college students, mostly from the B.Sc. and M.Sc. streams
get to do the same at NIO.
School students wanting to have an
exciting vacation listen up. Thanks to NIO’s special programme for selected
school students, they can now spend their vacations on the NIO campus with
their scientific friends. “The process of selection is simple. All a student
has to do is to hit the NIO website, Identify a topic of interest and write to
the chief scientist, promptly adding that the student is not charged any fee.
The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) with its headquarters at Dona Paula, Goa, and regional centers atKochi, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, is one of the 38 constituent laboratories of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. NIO was established on 1 January 1966 following the International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE) in early 1960s. The institute has grown today into a large oceanographic laboratory of international repute. The focus of research has been on observing and understanding the special oceanographic features that the North Indian basin offers. The inferences from this research have been reported in about 5000 research articles so far.
The institute has about 200 scientists (more than half of them
hold doctoral degree) and 100 technical support staff. The major research areas
include the four traditional branches of oceanography - biological, chemical,
geological/geophysical, and physical - and some other areas such as marine
instrumentation and archaeology. The institute has well equipped laboratories
to conduct research in these and multidisciplinary areas. The institute also
operates a coastal research vessel CRV Sagar Sukti, a 23 m vessel equipped for
multidisciplinary oceanographic observations. NIO's scientists also have access
to the ocean going research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya, operated by the Ministry of
Earth Sciences. The institute has a library with 15,000 books and 20,000 back
volumes of research journals, making it the best collection of printed
literature on ocean sciences in the country.
In addition to basic research, the institute also carries out
applied research sponsored by the industry. These studies include oceanographic
data collection, environmental impact assessment, and modeling to predict
environmental impact. The institute also provides consultancy on a number of
issues including marine environmental protection and coastal zone regulations.
With the largest collection of ocean scientists in the country,
and equipped with suitable ocean research infrastructure, NIO serves as an
advanced center of education in ocean sciences. Many universities have
recognized the institute for carrying out doctoral research, and a number of
NIO scientists have been recognized as doctoral research guides. There are at
present over 60 Junior/Senior Research Fellows (qualified through CSIR/UGC
eligibility criterion) pursuing their doctoral studies in the institute. In
addition, over 240 undergraduate and postgraduate students pursue their project
research at this institute every year. About 5% of them come from foreign
countries.
More information about ongoing research
programmes, student opportunities, research publications and seas around India
is available on this website. Use different menu options to explore the world
of NIO
