Research at universities

That the allocation for research at the University of Dhaka (DU) is less than 1.0 per cent is dismal indeed. But still more pathetic is the fact that even the meagre allocation remains unutilised. And it remains so not for a year but for over a decade now. This newspaper in its report has taken into account the DU's research expenditure since the fiscal year (FY), 2009-10, when the highest percentage (0.74 per cent) was utilised. The fiscal 2015-16 saw utilisation of the lowest ever percentage (only 0.33 per cent) of the allocation. One of the reasons may be that the amount offered for conducting research to a scholar is also very scanty and those willing to do research lose interest in such activities. Scholars with a genuine appetite for research somehow manage studies abroad in order to pursue their dream of carrying out research under eminent professors, Nobel laureates, scientists and researchers.

No wonder that the country's premier university, once dubbed the Oxford of the East, does not figure among the Asia's best -- let alone the Ivy League at the global level. A university's status is decided in today's world by the knowledge it creates. On that count, no university in the country has been able to achieve much. Academic teaching matters but more important is the creation of an environment where teachers and students together advance the frontier of knowledge. It is in this university in its formative stage that Satyendra Nath Bose came up with his epoch-making Boson particle. Then research facilities at the university were not enviable but the overall environment was scholarly. Contrary to that, today academic certificate has become the target of achievement. Both teachers and students look for a career for earning as much money as possible.

Only scholarly and dedicated teachers can inspire students to take up research projects. It is a collaborative venture. At this point, though, it must be admitted that the world has advanced far ahead and universities here do not always have to concentrate on fundamental research. There is a wide area of research of the applied nature where technology takes the lead. Japan and of late China have been making the most of it. Their business houses and industries have been collaborating with the leading universities in order to maintain supply of the researchers who can contribute to the national cause.

A few corporate houses and industries in Bangladesh have gone from strength to strength over the past decades and it is their turn to play a similar role their counterparts do in Japan and China. The DU has introduced a number of departments, mostly under the arts faculty. None is expected to expedite the process of research and experiment. The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) is certainly a better candidate for funds in the area of applied research. Yet the faculties such as science, pharmacy, biological science, engineering and technology of the DU can compete with the BUET and in certain cases perform better. But first there has to be a concerted effort for creation of proper facilities and environment for research.