Current Science

Richard N. Zare ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5080, US

Abstract

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Richard N. Zare ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California, US

Abstract

I read with great interest and deep appreciation the recent guest editorial by Sathyamurthy. He argues forcefully that IISERs are jewels in the crown of higher education in India, a fact that all Indians can take pride in. IISERs owe their success in large part to the passion and vision of the five founding directors, to the granting of autonomy in the appointments of faculty members, and to substantial support from the Indian government. The students I have met from different IISERs confirm the wisdom and power of this approach. Of course, good things can always be made better, and the article by Avinash Khare raises some important concerns. It is so tempting for politicians to build new edifices rather than address improvements to the infrastructure of those institutions that already exist.

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Richard N. Zare ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, US

Abstract

As I travel around the world, increasingly I have found that assessment and evaluation systems are getting in the way of why one should pursue a career in the sciences. So many scientists and institutions are striving to be at the very top of their fields, but do not realize that being the best is often the enemy of doing better. For these scientists, good is never enough; there is always more to do. They must outscore and outperform all their peers. All this leads to nothing but a vicious academic rat race. It is too easy to forget that if you win the rat race, you are still a rat.

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Richard N. Zare ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, US

Abstract

I come from a Jewish background, and my family and I celebrate each year Passover, a week-long spring festival that commemorates the liberation of Israelites from slavery long ago in ancient Egypt. It is one of my favourite holidays, not only for the special foods that are served and the chance to be together with family, but more for the opportunity to reflect on freedom and how important it is to making life meaningful. It is the only religious holiday I know that emphasizes how precious freedom is.

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