By: Samiullah Soomro
Research needs a careful consideration of study regarding a particular problem using scientific methods in peaceful environment because research is the process in which professors (scientists) consume their prestigious time to discover the hidden facts. But, unfortunately we have more than 95% Universities in Pakistan without proper environment of research. Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) Khairpur is one of those Universities in Pakistan have no any suitable environment of research. Last Night, one of the Assistant Professors from Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, SALU Khairpur Mir’s was conducting research in the research room of University; on the spur of the moment one misguided guy from University authorities came to behave badly with him and asked him to conduct research at home instead of university.
These problems are common probably in all Universities of Sindh because majority of educated-illiterate people in the universities are looking after the administration have no any idea of research. There are no proper instruments in Scientific Laboratories, these are just looking beautiful buildings: despite of the fact that many professors are struggling in the laboratories and conducting research co-operating with foreign Universities. There are lots of examples of such professors who are facing such problems in Universities of Sindh. I personally face these issues in University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Security guards always come to me and ask for leaving the Laboratory after 5pm. Unfortunately, I could not perform any biological experiment in instruments because there are many scientific experiments those need 36 to 38 hours by observing day and night continuously. I really appreciate those professors who come back to serve their country instead of lavish facilities opportunities in foreign universities but unfortunately they have to face lot of problems during conducting research in the Universities of Pakistan.
Majority of Universities administration have no any curiosity to facilitate the professors in perspective of research. In this competitive and advanced era of Universe if such acts of discouraging the research professors by strange ways and means remain continue then it will be impossible to adopt research culture in Pakistani Universities. An institute takes years to adapt research culture even after academician started but it is very easy to break up the research culture in days by recruiting educated-illiterate people in the institute. I therefore, request Prime Minister Imran Khan, Higher education authorities and Universities Administration to adopt research culture in the Pakistani Universities by encouraging Professors (Scientists) in the field of research.
The writer is Working as a Research Associate (HEC-Research Project) in department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro. He can be reached at [email protected]