State of academic development and research of universities

If our universities do not advance in education, academics, and technology, our national development and international standing will continue to decline. Globally, universities are seen as centers of knowledge, innovation, and research. The identity and development of advanced nations, as well as the progress of human civilization, are often linked to the research and innovation produced by their universities. Historically, institutions like Rishi Muni’s Tapobhoomi and Taxila established India as a global center of knowledge and civilization. Similarly, ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and the achievements of humanity, such as reaching the moon, are the results of university-driven innovations.

Today, whether it’s the groundbreaking research of Nobel laureates or advancements in micro-computer technology, universities play a key role in the development, dissemination, and commercialization of technology. We all aspire to see similar advancements in our own country.

When we compare the educational, academic, and technological progress of neighboring countries like China and India, which gained independence around the same time as Nepal in 1950, it becomes clear that if Nepal does not advance, our national development and international identity will continue to suffer. It is high time that Nepali universities focus on research. In many Nepali universities, research and publication are not only essential for the professional development of academics but also for attaining high-ranking positions within the institutions.

The University Grants Commission (UGC), the umbrella organization of Nepali universities, has played a creative role in the development of higher education in Nepal since its inception. Whether it’s contributing to the development of knowledge and technology, fostering skilled human resources, or promoting research in nationally significant areas, the UGC has been committed to improving higher education in Nepal for three decades. The Commission is not only responsible for providing capital and operational funding for physical infrastructure but also for supporting technology development, quality control, and the delegation of university responsibilities. The UGC works in coordination with relevant federal ministries, especially the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and the Ministry of Finance, to connect national universities in Nepal.

This article explores the current role of the University Grants Commission in promoting academic and scientific research, along with future research policies and suggestions. Nepali students will be drawn to local universities only if these institutions engage in innovative research, publish in quality journals, and use research findings for the benefit of society.

Commission’s research activities

While developed countries allocate a significant portion of their national budgets to research and innovation, Nepal has only recently begun this process. The University Grants Commission has taken steps to provide research funding to Nepali universities, offer research training, initiate entrepreneurial programs, and support the publication and presentation of research work. The Research and Scholarship Division of the UGC is active in awarding scholarships to undergraduate students and supporting postgraduate and PhD students in their research. However, the division’s role in fostering a research environment in Nepali universities has been diminishing in recent years.

Over the past decade, the UGC has progressed through seven thematic clusters, funding 50 MPhil, micro-research, and faculty research projects annually. This number has increased to 60 research projects at the PhD level. The UGC is also involved in 17 major research projects with national and international collaboration. Its innovative activities include numerous training programs, publications, and international visits to support young scientists and academic research. The UGC invests around 40 crores annually in these activities and is determined to promote cutting-edge research.

With financial support from the World Bank, the UGC has launched an entrepreneurial program in collaboration with national or provincial universities. This initiative aims to transform the site by engaging approximately 100 young students, teachers, and staff from across Nepal. The UGC also aims to connect Nepali research with the global community and make research more effective by controlling the duplication of efforts.

The UGC’s efforts to create a national research portal, the ‘Research Network Information System’ (RNIS), for university professors across Nepal are expected to have a positive impact. The UGC has also been involved in quality control and the effective implementation of 'Peer Reviewed Journals' by classifying journals published in Nepal.

Proposed new academic and scientific research initiatives

Given the current situation, it is not feasible for the University Grants Commission alone to regulate research activities and conduct quality research. Professors from various universities and hundreds of subject matter experts in different government agencies in Nepal must re-evaluate the research activities of the UGC. As the UGC prepares and circulates regulatory procedures, particularly for MPhil and PhD research, it is the responsibility of every university to improve their postgraduate programs.

The UGC should seize this opportunity to allocate research funds equitably and competitively, thereby increasing research activities across all Nepali universities and higher education institutions. Research development in Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University is already regulated, and newer universities are in the process of doing so. Collaboration between universities should be encouraged to promote and present joint research efforts.

Attracting Nepali students to local universities will require engagement in innovative research, coordination with federal, provincial, and local governments, and publication of research results in quality journals for the benefit of society.

Conclusion

Universities worldwide are synonymous with innovative research. Although research regulatory procedures have been successfully implemented in Nepal’s older universities, newer institutions have only recently begun this process. The UGC has been working for decades to establish and upgrade necessary laboratories for equitable and competitive research in Nepal’s higher educational institutions.

In today’s environment, where the UGC plays an additional role in providing technical and financial support to postgraduates, MPhil, PhD, post-doc students, and working professors in Nepali universities, faculty and staff should take this golden opportunity to move forward. It is time for every university to not only conduct academic research but also engage in innovative research that aligns with global market demands and offers long-term social benefits.