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Our future lies in prioritizing research and innovation

Published : Monday, 23 September, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 269
Pranto Chatterjee
Bangladesh, a country rich in heritage and resilience, stands at a decisive crossroads where its future as a knowledge-driven economy is uncertain. Despite remarkable strides in economic growth, the country's lack of emphasis on research and innovation poses a major impediment to sustained progress. If Bangladesh is to become a leader in the global stage and achieve long-term prosperity, there is an urgent need to prioritize investment in research and development (R&D). By nurturing a culture of innovation, fostering homegrown talent, and making strategic investments in research, Bangladesh can unlock its immense potential and carve a path toward technological and scientific breakthroughs.

When discussing research, it is easy to look at Western nations as benchmarks. However, a more relevant comparison lies closer to home-our neighboring country, India. Over the past decade, India has become a global leader in technology and space exploration, recently culminating in the success of its Chandrayaan-3 moon mission. India's meteoric rise in research and innovation raises a vital question for Bangladesh: What is preventing us from achieving similar feats? The disparities between the two nations' approaches to research are striking and offer critical lessons that Bangladesh cannot afford to ignore.

India's achievements did not come overnight; they were built upon years of sustained investment in research and higher education. From the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to lesser-known regional universities, India has fostered an academic environment where undergraduate students are actively encouraged to engage in research. In contrast, research opportunities for undergraduate students in Bangladesh are woefully limited. Many students graduate without ever having the chance to participate in meaningful research projects, which stunts their academic growth and prevents them from developing innovative mindsets. Research, in many cases, is only prioritized at the postgraduate or Ph.D. levels, by which time many talented individuals have already left the country for better opportunities abroad.

The number of Ph.D. candidates in Bangladesh is similarly disheartening. According to UNESCO, the number of Bangladeshi students pursuing higher education abroad is relatively small, with just 8,665 students heading to the United States in 2022, the majority of them for master's degrees. In contrast, India sends tens of thousands of Ph.D. graduates abroad each year for post-doctoral research, securing global recognition for their intellectual contributions. The scarcity of post-doctoral researchers in Bangladesh highlights a fundamental problem: we are not only failing to nurture homegrown talent, but we are also struggling to retain the best and brightest who leave the country in search of greener pastures.

A particularly concerning practice in Bangladesh is the appointment of departmental toppers from public universities as faculty members without sufficient emphasis on research experience. This practice undermines the development of a strong research culture in academia. In India, eligibility for faculty positions in engineering institutes generally requires post-doctoral research or at least a Ph.D., ensuring that educators are not only academically accomplished but also equipped with practical research skills. This difference in standards further exacerbates the gap in research output between the two countries. Bangladesh must adopt more rigorous criteria for academic appointments to ensure that faculty members contribute meaningfully to research and innovation.

The question of funding is central to the discussion on research. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh spent a mere 1.83% of its GDP on education in 2021, well below the UNESCO-recommended 4-6% of GDP. This chronic underinvestment hampers the development of a robust research environment. By comparison, India allocates 4.5% of its GDP to education, and China 3.6%. The stark difference in spending reflects a lack of prioritization on research in Bangladesh, where the focus remains on quantity rather than quality in education. If we continue to underfund research, we risk falling behind in the race toward technological innovation, which is essential for addressing future challenges such as climate change, energy sustainability, and economic diversification.

The education system in Bangladesh is another area that demands urgent reform. Rote learning and an emphasis on memorization over critical thinking have left students ill-prepared for the rigors of research. To cultivate a research-driven society, Bangladesh must prioritize a shift in educational pedagogy, one that encourages problem-solving, creativity, and analytical thinking from an early age. Schools and universities must equip students with the tools to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think beyond the confines of textbooks. Without this shift, Bangladesh will continue to produce graduates who are theoretically proficient but lack the practical skills needed for innovation.

The current state of research in Bangladesh is reflective of deeper systemic issues that cannot be ignored. Professors in top-tier engineering institutes are often not actively engaged in research, leading to concerns about academic integrity. There have been instances of research paper plagiarism and questionable practices, which tarnish the reputation of the nation's academic institutions. In India, by contrast, even highly published researchers may struggle to attain the rank of professor, highlighting the rigorous standards in place for academic recognition. Bangladesh must strive to foster a research culture that values original thought, intellectual honesty, and a commitment to advancing knowledge.

Philosophically, the question we must ask ourselves is whether we are content to remain passive consumers of technology or whether we aspire to become creators and innovators. Research is not merely an academic exercise; it is the lifeblood of progress. It allows nations to develop indigenous solutions to their unique challenges, from healthcare and agriculture to energy and infrastructure. Without significant investment in research, Bangladesh will remain dependent on external technologies and innovations, perpetually playing catch-up in a world that is rapidly advancing. But if we choose to invest in research and nurture our brightest minds, the possibilities are boundless. We can envision a future where Bangladesh is not only self-sufficient but also a global leader in innovation, contributing groundbreaking discoveries that benefit humanity as a whole.

Consider, for instance, the possibility of Bangladesh one day launching its own space missions or developing cutting-edge renewable energy technologies. These are not far-fetched dreams-they are entirely achievable if we prioritize research today. Countries like India have shown that with the right investment in education and research, even developing nations can compete on the global stage. Bangladesh has the potential to follow suit, but it requires a concerted effort from the government, academic institutions, and the private sector to make research a national priority.

In conclusion, Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The challenges facing our research ecosystem are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By increasing funding for education and research, reforming the education system to prioritize critical thinking, and holding academic institutions to higher standards, we can build a culture of innovation that drives the nation forward. Research is not a luxury-it is a necessity for national progress. The time to invest in it is now. If we rise to the occasion, Bangladesh will not only unlock its true potential but also secure its place as a global leader in science and technology.

Let us not miss this opportunity to shape the future of our nation. Let us commit to investing in research and innovation for the betterment of Bangladesh and generations to come.
The writer is a Master of Technology student of Power Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar



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