An integral part of learning, research in educational institutions are generally neglected and at times ignored in many parts of the world. If central underpinnings of research activities are any clue, research is required not just for students and academics, but for all professionals. It helps students expand their horizon of knowledge and have a detailed analysis of everything. Secondly, research contributes to furthering business goals of industries producing consumer goods or mass-market products and that is why many large business entities invest substantially in research and development activities. Research is most crucial for the health care sector as it helps find possible cures for diseases, as well as ways to prevent them.
Ultimately, research is essential for economic and social development of our globalised society, forming the foundations of governmental policies around the world. Knowledge generated by research forms the basis of sustainable development, which requires that it be placed for development, be converted into applications, and be shared to ensure widespread benefits.
The state of research in public universities of the country is grim particularly because research works are hampered by insufficient funds and inadequate provisions. Of the non-development budget of Dhaka University (DU) totaling Tk 6.64 billion for the fiscal year 2017-18, the allocation for research is only worth Tk 140 million which is a mere 2.0 per cent of the total budget. While it is true that allocation for research in most leading universities of the world are much below the requirement, funds earmarked for research in developed countries are of sizeable amounts. For instance, total R&D expenditure in Harvard University in 2016 was about US$800,000 (roughly Tk 640 million) which is four and a half times higher than that of Dhaka University and the government's share amounts to 74 per cent and the rest is met from institution fund and funds from businesses and non-profit organisations. But in case of Dhaka University, institution funds are difficult to come by in view of low tuition fees of students and funds from businesses and non-profit organizations are rarely available.
Given the imperativeness of research and its short and long-term impacts, the amount allocated to Dhaka university is too little, because conducting research is important as most universities tend to highlight the same as one of their main strengths. Performance success of the leading universities of the world is largely indebted to projects of research and development.
Most teachers and students of Dhaka University (DU) allege that they are unable to conduct proper research because of lack of funds and therefore cannot secure a place among the top Asian universities. So the government should increase its funding and allocate more money for the universities with provision for research. Additionally, in the light of its experience of governance, the government may offer some delicate and sensitive areas of research to universities. Care should be taken so that the autonomy of the universities is not interfered with. From the university side, added emphasis should be given to projects of public interest and not merely to enrich intellectual pursuance.
Universities can manage research funding from businesses by undertaking more consumer product-oriented research that will help improve the product in question and in some cases replace old products with new ones. Non-profit organisations are more inclined to socio-economic issues and if universities undertake socio-economic research they will gradually come forward. In this way research can be mutually beneficial for parties conducting research activities and parties funding them and can contribute to sustainable development.
