There should be no compromise on the quality of research and strict rules must be devised in this regard
PESHAWAR: PhD is the highest academic qualification a scholar can get after conducting thorough research into finding a solution of a problem, based on scientific methods, by writing a thesis. The researcher next publishes his findings and shares this with the learned community by writing research papers in reputed journals.
Some good research contributions get patented. Today, Pakistan is facing multiple problems in all spheres of life. Human resource could be an asset for Pakistan and the idea of the knowledge economy is a good one. We need to encourage our talented youth to do research and solve problems. The Higher Education Commission provides both foreign and local PhD scholarships to the youth. I, however, suggest that enrollment in local PhD programmes should be encouraged more because firstly, the government can save a huge amount of money this way. Sending youth to a foreign country on a PhD scholarship is very expensive. Secondly, solutions for the real problems that Pakistan is facing will be generated in this way. It would also be a good idea if the private sector sponsors its employees or researchers for research work, which helps promote their business. In Pakistan, we now have competent faculty members in every field of study, who can supervise and produce PhD scholars. There should be no compromise on the quality of research and strict rules must be devised in this regard. This will definitely help Pakistan to progress.
Dr Khizar Azam Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2015.
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