Home ›› 30 May 2022 ›› Editorial
University-industry collaboration in Bangladesh is conspicuous by its absence. University-industry partnerships can play a vital role in a nation's innovation system. Key challenges in the country's economic development are weak links between centres of science and technology and the production sector. Experts have identified distrust and lack of a facilitative environment as the causes of the failure of industry-academia collaboration. In Bangladesh, there is no authentic culture of teamwork between the industry and academia, coupled with a lack of support from the authorities concerned.
Not only is a high quality research of paramount importance, but the challenge also lies in how to transform this research into socioeconomic well-being, which can best be achieved by creating strong bonds between knowledge creators and knowledge consumers
The world widely views universities as an economic engine that can positively contribute to a country's growth in addition to its primary role as a centre for knowledge. According to experts collaboration between industry and academia is key to catalyse innovation and growth in technology. While industry often focuses on addressing solutions that are of near-term commercial value and academia focuses on building new knowledge through research and imparting education to students, the combination can yield accelerated development of new breakthroughs.
Industry partnerships are instrumental in advancing research and creating a skilled workforce. Industry gains work-ready talent with specialist knowledge and practical training, and universities benefit by having opportunities to work on relevant technologies and challenging problems. Sadly in Bangladesh this school of thought has failed to gain much ground
There can be hardly any argument that there is a serious dearth of research in both the public and private universities in Bangladesh. In most discussions regarding the issue, lack of adequate funding and proper facilities are cited as major reasons why research is not being conducted in this country on a large scale. There is no doubt that funds and adequate infrastructure are vital. However, they are not the only reasons behind the phenomenon. At times, the academics use the lack of funding as a convenient excuse for their failure or unwillingness to delve deep into their respective disciplines. Universities are meant to bring forth new ideas and knowledge through comprehensive research. Yet, the picture in Bangladesh is quite the opposite due to a lack of well-qualified teachers and necessary funds.
Research is an aptitude that needs to be tapped at the school and college levels. The system to promote research among students has not developed anywhere.
The first and foremost requirement is to attract enthusiastic and competent young persons to university faculty positions. The typical selection process in most public universities is now so politicised, archaic, bureaucratic, and often biased because of different reasons. Hiring a competent person becomes a low probability event. On the other side, in many cases, the prospective faculty members do not even want to join a university as their priority choice. Because they often have the impression that teaching robs them of their research time and that the environment in the university and its departments are not conducive to their personal growth.
Consequently, the university system gets increasingly loaded with "deadwood." And hapless generations of students have to suffer from the lack of inspiring teachers. They thus do not even have the opportunity to feel the spark that they carry within them. To change, the universities must radically modify their recruitment procedure so that aspiring candidates can apply any time of the year. The concerned departments can have the opportunity to discuss in person with those candidates whose CV looks appropriate for the positions that the department wishes to fill. Formal selection committee meetings should make the final selections only following the feedback after such direct and intensive interactions. The university must also provide adequate "start-up" facilities to the new faculty. And, at the same time, ensure that the new faculty is not loaded with a lot of teaching responsibilities from day one.
Research leads to curiosity and a desire to look for and find better solutions or better explanations for our surroundings.
This curious mind can develop in an environment where knowledge seekers are encouraged to express and discuss new, fresh ideas. Original research is the process of crystallising ideas and clearing the mind of incorrect assumptions. In an ideal academic environment, questions about old ideas are encouraged, and students are allowed to disagree with teachers about different issues. One serious hindrance in this country to research–and consequently quality higher education intolerance of even the mildest forms of dissent in the academic arena. Unfortunately, in the universities, there is a well-entrenched hierarchical system in place, which is also present at every segment of society. People here from childhood are infused with the idea that the elder or the senior is never wrong, and it is nearly blasphemy to challenge this status quo.
Research, on the contrary, thrives on discussion and flourishes when there are free discussions of differing viewpoints. If free exchange of ideas is absent, meaningful research will be lacking as well. By meaningful research, the writer means original work which addresses problematic issues. Many academics tend to stick to 'safe' topics and work in areas where research has already been done time and again.
Unfortunately, our education system generally fails to produce independent thinkers. Promotions, in many cases, in the public universities, are often based on seniority rather than performance. It is the responsibility of the senior academics and heads of institutions to help create an environment in which students and junior faculty members are encouraged to think independently. And to formulate and express their ideas which can be done by arranging seminars and conferences on different topics.
In a country like Bangladesh, the role of universities becomes vital as they can share intellectual power to boost the economy and help solve many issues ailing the land. The nation expects the universities to contribute to basic, applied and/or action research to help minimise the country's problems to meet the future targets. Also, there needs to be a good understanding between the universities and the industry. Sadly, the former is more interested in academics, and the latter are more interested in profit-making. There needs to be a proper synergy between the two.
Alarmingly academic dishonesty has become prevalent in recent years. With the advent of the Internet, plagiarized work is being passed off as research. Many believe that the unequal distribution of teaching load and administrative duties are compelling teachers to plagiarize as there is pressure to keep publishing or lose a promotion. This race to maintain a certain number of publications has destroyed the true spirit of research. Social taboos on plagiarism and fake research do not exist.
A culture has developed that no longer values scholarly achievement and the virtues of honesty, rigour, correctness, originality, and cooperation.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), the apex body of higher education, observes the number of quality research, especially in a fundamental or innovative field, has decreased tremendously at the university level. On the other hand, young teachers are less enthusiastic about such activities. According to a UGC report, 12 public and 11 private universities did not spend any money on research.
Graduates often lack hands-on training in specific technologies, such as enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and supply chain management. None of these, industry insiders believe, are taught even at the top-tier universities. To emerge as an actual knowledge-based society in today's globalised world, Bangladesh needs to have quality education at all levels and in all fields. Infrastructure, institutional support and motivation for quality are factors that need to be in place to reach excellence.
Many enthusiastic, motivated and capable young academics are eager to carry out meaningful research. However, either the infrastructure for a good laboratory does not exist or the surrounding atmosphere is so unhelpful, that much of their creative ability is wasted. Some give up in frustration, while many others settle down for less than their best.
The writer is a journalist. He can be contacted at [email protected]
