PROFESSOR ASHOK SAX-ENA, chairman of the School of Material Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, on March 22 advised regional universities to be more involved in policy making by providing expert services to governments.
He said institutions of higher learning must use their research capabilities to give effect to government decisions and policies.
"Universities have a key role to play in the development of societies and must use their resources as engines for economic growth. University research can make a difference in development," Professor Saxena stated.
He was addressing the opening of a two-day graduate student research symposium at the University of Technology (Utech) in Kingston. The symposium was organised by Utech's Faculty of Engineering and focuses on the use of research as a catalyst for development.
Speaking on the 'Role of University Research in Developing Nations', Professor Saxena said universities must be a 'test-bed' for relevant advanced technologies and should identify niche technologies that would suit a country's strengths and weaknesses.
Noting that research should provide long-term sustainability, he said any research project undertaken must be relevant to a university's mission of delivering education, must bring new knowledge and provide students with problem-solving skills that would benefit them in the future.
He urged universities not to be swayed by financiers when taking in research projects.
"If it does not benefit the educational aspect of the university it is not worth it to take it on," he advised.
Professor Saxena and the President of Utech, Dr. Rae Davis, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) after the professor's presentation. The MOU is for co-operation between Utech and the Georgia Institute of Technology in the area of technology.
The MOU provides for expanded communication and the sharing of educational resources in teaching, research and academic exchanges. Both institutions also gave commitments to pursue student and faculty exchanges and joint research project.
