In order to boost research at the undergraduate level, Jamia Hamdard University is planning to undertake new steps. The university is working towards increasing interaction between undergraduate students and research scholars. Also, according to G N Qazi, vice-chancellor, Jamia Hamdard, the university is planning to create a 'distinct cadre of researchers who would devote 70% of their time for research and 30% for teaching.' While elaborating on the increasing need of promoting research in higher education, Qazi said, 'Teaching and research always go side by side. However, we in India have not been giving much importance to this aspect. But now, University Grants Commission (UGC) has set a guideline that a university has to earmark 20% of its resources for promoting research. This will help in improving the quality of research in general.'
Qazi feels the research component should be introduced in universities right from the undergraduate level. 'The undergraduate programme is a stepping stone in higher education. And if a student is introduced to research at this stage it would prove to be more beneficial. First, because it will help a student understand whether he/she wants to go for research in the future or not. Also, many students at the PhD level after spending few years in research realise they cannot pursue it,' he said. Hence, the university is planning to provide exposure to research at the undergraduate level itself. The university will also work towards recruiting more people with research orientation.
