KOLKATA, Feb. 11: The department of Radiophysics and Electronics of Calcutta University will function as a networking centre of University Grant Commission (UGC) in Physical Science. The decision was taken at a meeting of the UGC held in New Delhi last week. UGC will provide Rs 5 crore in five years to set up the centre. The ministry of human resources development department (MHRD) had asked the UGC to set up 10 networking centres all over the country to carry out research work in physical science, chemical science, life science, material science and mathematical science. A senior official of HRD ministry said the proposal to set up networking centre was mooted after academics stated in a report to the ministry that because of the rich pay package in information technology (IT) and management, most of the good students from IITs and other scientific institutions are flocking to the best IT and management institutions. There is a serious shortage of research scholars in the field of science all over the country. "No development in the field of technology is possible unless there is research in the field of basic science' he maintained, adding that despite growth in technology, China is spending heavily in the field of research. After getting the report the former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh sat with scientists and academics involved in the teaching of science to discuss the matter. The scholars had suggested that for the growth science the only option was to set up networking centres to help students working in the field of basis science. Centres in chemical science and life science will be set up at Hyderabad University and Kamraj University, Madurai. Mr Susanta Sen, head of the Radiophysics and Electronics department said students doing Phd can use the laboratory and library at the centre. It will also provide support to students doing Master of Science to make projects. The centre will also help students joining Phd programme to find out guides and the top for their research. Application will be sought through a website where students from all over the country can apply. Professor PK Basu, coordinator, Centre for Advanced studies said the centre will run three-week long summer and winter schools where research scholars will be given guidance. The centre is expected to organise 10 schools in five years. He said the centres will train up both researchers and faculty and a close cooperation of research scholars and their guides will take place at the networking centres.