Mukti Rijal

A TV news item telecast, the other day, took note of the technical weaknesses on the proposals for the study submitted to the University Grants Commission (UGC) by the Tribhuvan University (TU) research centres like the Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) and Centre for China and Asian Studies (CNAS). The weaknesses were singled out by an independent panel formed by the varsity itself reportedly at the behest of the UGC. Needless to say, these two centres had been once the reputed entities under TU admired for their dedication to research and innovation in their respective disciplinary areas.

According to the news report, a study was commissioned by UGC to be conducted on the centre's respective policy and thematic areas. But the proposals submitted on behalf of the above mentioned centres under TU reportedly fell short of adequately addressing and fulfilling such aspects as relevance, methodological clarity and rigour needed for the design of research based study. This is not an issue that should merit any comment or discussion as proposals and research ideas should undergo stricter scrutiny and examination on behalf of sponsor before they are accepted and given a nod for execution. In general, the sponsors make a call for proposals from the competent eligible firms and agencies to meet and achieve the certain definite purposes and intents. The proposals have to be designed and formulated accordingly to cater to the defined needs, objectives and purposes as sought by the sponsor.

Research standards
When the proposals do not conform and fail to align with the objective of the call issued by the agency that sponsors it, the bidder is under an obligation to revise and improve it upon the request of the sponsor. But the commissioning agency reserves the authority to disqualify the particular bidder and take other necessary decisions in conducting the study or completing the project concerned. Though this is too insignificant an issue to catch the attention of the news media, this did receive mentioning seemingly to illustrate and indicate the poor state of research in the TU academic centres set up with the purpose of advanced level research, innovation and development.

Why did not the RECAST and CNAS proposals, as reported, meet and satisfy the UGC research standards and requirements? Was it quality of the project proposal or other considerations that played up to question the merit of the proposals? This article does not intend to indulge into the issue or controversy of this kind.

Plainly speaking, the research related strength and competence of the TU affiliated centres, constituent campuses and faculties is far from being satisfactory which is time and again admitted by its faculty chiefs, executive administrators and academic authorities. If the news regarding the quality of the CNAS and RECAST generated proposal has the content of the truth as mentioned above, it is definitely a matter meriting attention of the authority concerned. In fact, these TU centres were highlighted for their quality research and authentic publications in the past especially during the partyless Panchayat period when the university educational activities had been more or less insulated from the overt party politics. Centre for Economic Development and Administration (CEDA), CNAS and Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Development (CERID) were especially known for excellent academic credentials and quality academic outputs. In those days, the appointments to man and lead the centres were more or less based on merit, competence and academic excellence though the monolithic Panchayat polity did also elect the people perceived to being close to the partyless dispensation.

But during the democracy era today that started from 1990 the situation has turned out to be entirely different. Each dimension of the TU activities has come under the sheer purview and influence of the political parties. The sister organisations and the frontal wings of the various political parties are active both in administration and academic life of the university. They often contest and fight to get their share in the appointment of various administrative and academic posts in the university. As and when the groups are not satisfied with the bhagbanda (spoil sharing arrangement), they resort to forcefully cause the complete shutdown of the university activities.

The university teachers, employees and students have been politically mobilised time and again to indulge into the extra-academic actions to disrupt the routine functions of the university. Moreover, the university lacks resources to invest in research and development as a consequence of which the culture of research undertaking has been totally neglected. Though some resources even if negligible could be mobilised and put in undertaking the research activities and engender sound academic outputs, the institutes and faculties appear not simply motivated to propel into action.
Another reason for this sorry state of affairs is that the political leaders who are at the helm of running the administration of the state have seemingly failed to take cognizance of the need for recruiting the competent and persons with academic integrity and credentials in the executive leadership position of the university.

Meritocracy in need
Right persons to lead the academic centres and institutions can be spotted on the basis of qualifications, experiences and skills required to perform their assigned job and take appropriate decisions. Moreover academic commitment and competence can be engendered due to motivation, quality of human resource and ownership. Motivational tools are mostly not brought into practice, promotions are often recommended without assessing the candidate’s commitment and quality.

The salary of teachers and staffs given by the university is also low. There is no provision of incentives to motivate the employee at work. If the university authority fails to give attention to separate politics from the problems, put in adequate resources for research and development, the quality of academic products and services will decline further to tarnish its all-time low image and profile.

(The author is presently associated with Policy Research Institute (PRI) as a senior research fellow.  rijalmukti@gmail.com)