Research must for Berhampur University lecturers, readers

BERHAMPUR: Lecturers and readers at Berhampur University will now have to compulsorily take part in research activities. The university has also asked them to publish at least one article in a reputed journal of the respective subject in the year.

The university authorities have asked the lecturers and readers to submit their research project proposals with the probable names of the funding agencies by September 25. The vice-chancellor of the university would coordinate with the funding agencies to get money for the respective research projects, sources said.

"It would boost research activities in the university and also help the lecturers and readers in their career," said vice-chancellor Deepak Kumar Behera.

It would also help the university to get a higher score during the NAAC assessment. The university is preparing to invite the NAAC team soon.

The tenure and budget of each research would be decided with the mutual agreement with the funding agencies and researchers, sources said.

The university has also decided to conduct research on four issues involving different departments, in collaboration with the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad. The university has already signed the memorandum of understanding with NIRD for collaborative researches in different aspects.

The proposed research topics include "Environment pollution and impact assessment", "Disaster management", "Water scarcity management and Migration. Almost all departments would be involved in the study on these subjects, the VC said.

The internal quality assurance cell (IQAC) of the university, at its recent meeting, suggested these topics- the major issues in the southern Odisha districts.

Decision of the university assumes significance as some areas in southern Odisha, particularly Berhampur town is reeling under drinking water scarcity, while Ganjam is very prone to natural calamities like cyclone, flood and drought.

Similarly study on migration was important as around 8 lakh people from Ganjam district alone migrate to Surat in Gujarat to eke out a living. Several others also migrate to other states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Goa to work at construction sites.

Source: Times of India