The Indian Statistical Institute, one of the foremost such institutions in the world, has been laying more emphasis on applied research and has forayed into a number of hi-tech areas. Part of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the institute has a network of ten statistical quality control and operations research divisions, at Kolkatta, Vadodara, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Coimbatore.
Apart from theoretical research activities, the divisions also carry out benchmarking the performance of different optimization software, evaluation of the effectivity of training programmes, evaluation of customer satisfaction level in various areas, as well as robust economic sampling plan.
Some of the interesting areas of applied research in which the divisions are currently engaged include, designing a new high performance and cost efficient compressor model for mini refrigerators and water coolers, evaluation of the reliability of a unit of flight control software, reliability evaluation of Solid Rocket Motors which the Indian Space Research Organisation uses in the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) and the Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV), Scientific Management System for irrigation and water supply, optimization of cigarette design, developing a project management efficiency metric and most importantly warranty cost analysis.
Besides the theoretical and experimental plan research funded by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the institute also undertakes externally funded projects from different government and non-government organisations like the Department of Science and Technology, CSIR, ONGC etc.
Meanwhile, the third Review Committee which went into the overall status and performance of the institute, had made 73 recommendations in its report pertaining to various fields such as research and projects, training and teaching, buildings, equipment and assets, organization and management, administration, personnel and finances etc. The Centre had forwarded the Report to the Chairman of the Council of the Institute for consideration. The Council has since conveyed its decision on the recommendations, some of them have already been put into effect.
VKS/SR
(Release ID :11035)