PROMOTION OF RESEARCH CULTURE –ENHANCING QUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

Research is the first strand, embracing the systematic generation of new knowledge, development of new ideas and experiment with new techniques. These activities inform student learning and provide an intellectual platform for engaging in knowledge transfer. The second strand is learning and teaching. It explicates a body of ideas, is informed by available research, and instills habits of inquiry that reflect the provisional nature of knowledge. The final strand is knowledge transfer. It encompasses many dimensions of interaction between academia and the wider society – from the way public intellectuals use media platforms to participate in debate, to policy work for government, industry and communities, to contract research and education services, and to the complex and risky work of creating business ventures to distribute new knowledge. We are concerned about a Research Culture because:

• Research is the basis of how a university education works
• It is the intellectual life blood of our staff
• It should be the fundamental support of our teaching
• It is a basis of support for our community

Research and experimental development comprises creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of stock of knowledge to devise new applications. The essential characteristics of research activity is that it leads to publicly, verifiable outcomes which are open to peer appraisal. Research and experimental development comprises: creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase knowledge of humanity, culture and society, and the use of stock of knowledge to devise new applications.