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| Monday, November 10, 2008
“Little focus on research in Indian universities”
The higher education system in India has been successfully churning
out a huge number of talented graduates every year but no Indian
University or even the Indian Institutes of Technology secured
a place in the world’s 100 best institutions. It’s
true that India has an unlimited talent pool and there were
several scientists who made their mark on the global stage amidst
heavy odds.
What then ails the institutions of higher learning in India
when resources do not appear to be a major constraint? It is
obviously the perception of higher education, whether it is
seen as a means of merely imparting classroom education to the
youth or extending its benefits to society through qualitative
research, that makes the difference between universities and
world class universities, says Christopher J. Kaufman, Principal
Consultant of Seattle-based Agovia Consulting Inc who is here
to help JNTU, Kakinada in making strategic planning for the
future.
US example
In an interview to The Hindu, Mr. Kaufman said Indian universities
ought to give top priority to research which makes impact on
society and get it published in reputed journals so that their
works get noticed.
The focus on research in the USA is so intense that many American
teachers can most of the time be found in research laboratories
and teaching when they find time. No action is taken on such
teachers as their interest which lies in research, could not
be deviated from purposeful activities in the laboratories.
Whereas in India, the quantity of research done is apparently
not up to the mark as most professors either don’t find
time for that or are burdened with classroom work.
This is not to undermine the quality works some are doing within
their limitations. Indian teachers are no less talented than
their peers abroad but the kind of environment in which they
work is not congenial for them to make some really good innovations.
This is where Mr. Kaufman has a suggestion that Indian Universities
should create ‘endowed chairs’ which are teaching/research
positions occupied by distinguished scholars. Although State
funds provide basic salaries, the endowed funds created by philanthropic
gifts reward both the teaching and research activities. Of no
less significance is the need to make the best presentations
on the research activities with the help of expert technical
writers who need to organise the works in an excellent pattern
so as to effectively market the achievements. Mr. Kaufman further
said that the Indian Universities should raise financial resources
on their own, like their American counterparts go out on ‘capital
campaigns’. The alumni associations have to be properly
tapped and instead of seeking donations for a general fund,
specific areas of research or other critical infrastructure
should be shown as in need of monies. Besides, there should
be officers dedicated for fund raising instead of entirely depending
on State funding.
Finally, the universities have to do greater collaborative research
with other institutions in addition to research within their
own precincts so that their synergies deliver the results expected
by stakeholders the world over.
Courtesy: The Hindu - Education Plus
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