Habib University academics emphasise role of undergraduate research

Teaching and research should go hand in hand, say speakers

KARACHI: Academics have emphasised that research and teaching should complement each other at the undergraduate level universities.

Speaking at an event, 'Understanding the Role of Undergraduate Education and Research in Pakistan', at the Habib University (HU) on Friday, they regretted the lack of emphasis on research at the undergraduate level in the country.\



Lahore University of Management Sciences Department of Physics Associate Professor Dr Sabieh Anwar said, "A dichotomy exists between teaching and research while they should go hand in hand". He suggested that the graduate level universities were supposed to harbour deep culture of research and Pakistan needed to take both stances; undergraduate institutions and undergraduate level research.

Aga Khan University (AKU) Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences Associate Professor Dr Kulsoom Ghias said that research was a competency for doctors and thus, at AKU, every student is exposed to research.

Addressing the role and support of our national bodies in research, HU Programme Director and Associate Professor Dr Aamir Hasan said that the situation in Pakistan was gloomy in regard to undergraduate level research as we have problems in both external enablers and internal enablers. External enablers are the incentives from the government while internal enablers can be categorised as "lack of belief and integration of courses with research".

Talking about the changes in and advances of research, Dr Hasan maintained that research doesn't only mean creation of new knowledge but it can be built on existing knowledge. "Undergraduate level is the right time for students to be exposed to research," he added. On this, Dr Ghias reflected that research should rather be entailed into students at a much earlier level.

Referring to the culture of research and societal norms, Dr Anwar said that society needed to encourage curiosity for research and engrave it in the entire education system.

Emphasising the role of teachers as educators in the research structure, Dr Anwar said, "Research and teaching connects humans to one another. Its all about humanity." He  added that teachers needed to interact, engage, care and work hand in hand with students. According to him, with good communication between students and teachers, research can elevate at undergraduate level. On this, Dr Ghias added that teachers needed to be trained as educators.

Responding to a question on challenges in carrying out reasearch work at the undergraduate level in Pakistan, Dr Ghias said, "Research should come within the institute. Research doesn't always need money so we should not let lack of funds hold us back."



On how to expand the scope of research in undergraduate institutions, Dr Anwar said that research builds the profile, assets and human value of a university, hence universities shouldn't consider it an expenditure. Dr Ghias said that universities in Pakistan needed to collaborate to be able to capitalise on research.

"HU believes bringing citizens together to broaden intellectual discourse in academic discussions enhances the quality and focus of higher education in Pakistan. Events are open to public participation to provide a platform for everyone to contribute in this process," said HU Marketing and Communications Content Marketing Manager Zaara Abbas.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2018.