In their capacity as Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, the Governor and the Chief Minister announced in the Kashmir University Council meeting that a seed capital of fifty lakh rupees each would be provided to the Universities of Kashmir and Jammu for superior research work. Although the amount of seed money committed is very modest by any means, yet the spirit behind it is of much significance. A university is regarded the fountain head of research work because it provides the basic infrastructure of advanced research and learning. The Governor (and Chancellor) is right in expecting the university to focus attention on such branches of research as would help State’s economic growth and also would provide chances of employment to larger numbers of unemployed youth. In fact identification of such branches of learning and their need-based orientation is not necessarily or exclusively university specific. There are other research institutions in the country that are equally equipped to conduct exclusive research on some of the fundamental requirements of a civil society. However the essential role of the university is to prepare the cadres of students for specialization in various important fields. It is up to individual talent and the infrastructural support from the Government that will determine proper exposure for research oriented faculty.
Experience has shown that our student community has more than sufficient talent. What is needed is its proper exposure and proper utilization in the interests of the nation. It is encouraging to note that the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor both are deeply interested in seeing that the two universities develop into prime institutions of study and research in the country. Funds should not come in the way because the society would not want research to be halted for want of funds. It is prepared to contribute liberally knowing that the investment is worthwhile. The student community should be thankful to the authorities which have a vision and a message for them. Such institutions of excellence are not built over night and take decades and even centuries to come up to a certain level. Our universities are in the making and are moving on the right track. But there is the need of a word of caution as regards research enterprises. Of late a tendency, though not widespread, has developed which indicates downslide of research studies at various departments. The downslide has appeared from selection of a subject for research to quality of guidance available and finally the quality of deliverance. This phenomenon is a cause of deep concern. University authorities on spot shall have to evolve a mechanism to arrests decline of research standards. Faculties that are adepts in teaching may not be the same in guiding researches and vice versa. This factor has to be kept in mind. A mechanism will have to be evolved that will ensure clearance of a proposed topic/subject/field for research before the department concerned gives its final consent. The mechanism has to be outside the department but on institutional level. The award of Doctoral degree should not be trivialized.
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