The essence of research lies in systematic investigations based on exploration, testing and experimentation in order to reach new conclusions. Globally, the institutes of higher learning focus on the domain of research and provide multiple avenues for researchers in different disciplines of knowledge ranging from social sciences to natural sciences, humanities and so on and so forth. Without any restricted zone, world researchers get benefit through intra-disciplinary, interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary approaches of research, which in turn, help in addressing issues through scientific and systematic inquiries and investigations. No doubt, ours is a country where research culture is at its nascent stage. At this critical juncture, Higher Education Commission is playing a pivotal role in increasing the pace of research culture and facilitating researchers to focus on its genuine impact which may be helpful for society as a whole.
Higher Education Commission believes in the promotion of research culture. In this connection, HEC has launched various programmes for the promotion of research culture in Pakistan. The research programmes initiated and funded by HEC include; National Research Program for Universities (NRPU), Problem Based Applied Interdisciplinary Research Program (PBAIRP), Startup Research Grant Program (SRGP), Technology Development Fund (TDF), HEC Library for researchers/scholars, HEC National Digital Library programme, Outstanding research awards, travel grants for presentation of research papers, and many research linkage programmes such as; Pakistan Program for Collaborative Research (PPCR), Pak-US joint Research Program , Pak-France Peridot Research Program and so on and so forth. In spite of such initiatives on the research front, the ranking of Pakistani universities in global ranking is at a low ebb which produces certain questions which need to be addressed on priority basis.
At present, the issues faced by the researchers are of multitude nature. The casual attitude of researchers in proposal writing/designing, procurement issues, non-rationalized budgets in proposal designing, technical issues, administrative hurdles at university level are very significant. In turn, these issues further pave way for outdated research and ultimately the essence and spirit of research dies, it not only leads to a loss for the national exchequer but also wastage of time and resources.
In the research domain, the indicators are fixed ranging from volume and reputation of research to its citation, international outlook and research-industry linkage. Moreover, the indicators for evaluation of research may vary from one ranking agency to another
The need of the hour is to figure out the issues at various levels. In this relation, research funding agencies, researchers (Principal Investigators) and Universities may cooperate and discuss the areas where the hurdles are created and then all stakeholders may work on the solution. Second, the strong connection between researchers and HEC notified ORICS (Office for Research Innovation and Commercialization)- established in various public and private universities- may be created through trainings. Consequently, the linkage for research commercialization and timely coordination with funding agencies will further pave way for addressing the issue.
Third, the training sessions for research proposal writing/designing and budgeting may be planned and organized in various universities across Pakistan. Through the proposed training sessions for research, not only sound proposals on technical grounds will be received but also the efficiency and effectiveness of research may be boosted.
Fourth, the real charm of research lies in impacting society rather than heading towards the race of publication of research in impact factor journals. The sole purpose of research is in finding a solution for a problem which benefits the general populace as a whole. Therefore, researchers may gauge their skills and they can ponder how their work may impact society genuinely and they may contribute to the society accordingly.
Fifth, researchers should apply modern approaches in research and focus on various domains ranging from intra-disciplinary to inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches. Through this multi-disciplinary practice in research, variety of solutions may come through different flavors of disciplines. Consequently, any issue may be addressed through different angles of multiple disciplines.
Last but not the least; it is a fact that global ranking agencies for universities set certain indicators while ranking the universities. Specifically, in the research domain, the indicators are fixed ranging from volume and reputation of research to its citation, international outlook and research-industry linkage. Moreover, the indicators for evaluation of research may vary from one ranking agency to another. In order to be part of the research race on competitive footings, our researchers should think seriously on how to stand shoulder to shoulder with global researchers so ultimately they might be able to collaborate with world-class researchers in different disciplines of knowledge for solutions of different issues.
The author is an Assistant Director of the Higher Education Commision
Published in Daily Times, February 16th 2019.