KIU-Knowledge and Research-3

Research and Innovation
By Prof. Dr.Attaullah Shah Vice Chancellor (KIU) Karakoram International University

Research is the process to explore the new frontiers of knowledge and innovations and transform its dividends into new products and services. The human knowledge is basically derived from the divine knowledge. One of the greatest blessings of Allah over human being was bestowed upon him is knowledge. In Quran Allah says:

31. And He taught Adam the nature Of all things; then He placed them Before the angels, and said: “Tell Me The nature of these if ye are right.”
32. They said: “Glory to Thee: of knowledge We have none, save what Thou Hast taught us: in truth it is Thou Who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom.”
Research is mainly undertaken to better understand the natural phenomenon and improve the human knowledge, which can be used to find the realities of nature on one hand and create durable & sustainable solutions for the problems faced by the human beings and society on the other hand. This genesis of research is imbued in the human spirit and would continue till end.
The concept of Universities and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) is not complete without research and innovation. Research publications, Research & Development (R&D) and Research and Innovations have important role in world ranking of Universities and Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). Hence research is a precursor for the development of Universities. According to Neil Armstrong “Research is creating new knowledge”. Albert Einstein has further explained it as “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” It is a fact that for a bright academic career, research is the prerequisite. Universities around the world are investing heavily in the Research and Development (R&D) to solve the problems faced at the local, regional and global levels. This process leads to the creation and of new products and services.
The research may be “Pure Research” where the main aim of the research is to improve the exiting body of knowledge about the natural phenomenon and theories & laws. Whereas the second form of research is “ Applied Research”, where the fundamental principles of pure research are applied to various fields of sciences, Engineering and Social Sciences. For example, when we conduct research to better understand the properties of fluids under various environmental conditions, it is more like a pure research in the fields of “Fluid Mechanics” but when we apply this knowledge to various other real or hypothetical world, under various boundary conditions, it is more like applied research in the fields of fluid dynamics. Today the global research expenditure is focused on Energy, Space technology and health. United States stand at the top of the countries, spending heavily on the R&D. During 2011-12, US spent about US$150 billion on the R&D. High R&D investment can lead to many advantages for a society. Firstly, R&D is the source for developing new products and services across the world. It is also used for the value addition of the existing product and service line. This leads to improved business and share of the nation in the international trade and commerce. A research based society, will provide more creative and innovative human resource for development of new products and services and hence less efforts and investment will be required towards this end. This often lead to “Knowledge Economy”. Bill Gates the CEO of Microsoft ® said “Our current expectations for what students should learn in school were set fifty years ago to meet the needs of an economy based on manufacturing and agriculture. We are now economy based on knowledge and Technology”
To promote research culture in HEIs, the following steps are required on priority:
i. Research must focus on the challenges faced on local and regional levels. This must reflect in providing sustainable and durable solutions to the above. While looking at the unique features of KIU as Mountain University, with focus on developing pluralistic and sustainable mountain society, it has to focus more on the challenges faced by the region. The important areas of research for KIU can include Environmental degradation, Climate Change, Glacial melting, mountain agriculture, natural disaster, deforestation etc. Currently there are about 30 glaciers in GB, where sizeable lakes have been formed and which are susceptible for bursting under the pressure of glacial mass. This is often called “ Glacial Lake Outburst Flow (GLOF)” . This phenomenon has already witnessed in case of Atta Abad lake and the recent developments in Shishper Glacier at Hasssan Abad Hunza, is the second major episode of this kind in last almost ten years. The excessive movement of the Shishper glacier and resultant blocking of Hassan Abad steam has created many threats. Research on Glacial Mapping, temporal and spatial movements and their vulnerability to GLOF are some of the very important areas, where KIU can lead an objective and useful research to provide sustainable solutions for the communities around these glaciers. KIU has already started research collaboration with national partners like Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Corporation (SUPARCO), Institute of Space Technology (IST), Climate Department, GB Government, GBDAand International partners in China, Russia and USA/UK. KIU has already initiated a proposal for Establishing the Centre for Climate Change and Glacial Studies (C3GS) under the funding from Chinese Government through HEC. The Chinese Academy of Science, has already approved to establish “National Centre for Earth Sciences” at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. KIU is expecting that a component under the “Cryosphere and Glacial Studies” shall be established at the KIU.
ii. The second areas of high significance for research is Food and Agriculture. At present the GB region is faced with food insecurity, poor nutritional value of food and impact of climate change on the local agriculture patterns. This has certainly led to the issues of malnutrition, stunted growth and wasting in the newly born children. According to National Nutrition Survey, more than 40% of the children in GB are faced with these challenges. Though Food and Agriculture department at KIU has grabbed couple of good projects under National Research Program (NRPU) in Universities, yet there is a need for integrated efforts for more focused research and leadership in agriculture of the area.
iii. The third important area of research in GB can be renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) and Appropriate Technologies. According to a conservative estimate, the North of Pakistan possesses an estimated hydropower potential of 50000 MW. The open flow turbines and run of river energy production systems are relatively cheaper and sustainable. The existing capacity of the GB Energy and power departments is relatively good and the strong presence of NGO Sector as well such as various organs of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), provides greater opportunities for RET. KIU has planned to establish Centre for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technologies (CREATe) in collaboration with Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH). In this context, the department of Physics already developed the concept proposal for approval of the Statutory Bodies of KIU. In a recent initiative, a research funding of Rs. 14 Million has been grabbed from HEC under Technology Development Fund with the Vice Chancellor KIU Prof. Dr. Attaullah Shah as Principal investigator (PI) and Dr. Manzoor Ali as Co-PI. The project has been developed in partnership with M/S Baig and Baigs Engineering Pvt. Ltd Islamabad and Gilgit. The main objective of the project is to develop a prototype “Open Flow Tu¬rbine System” to generate electricity and water pumping. After successful completion of the project, it will be up-scaled to other capacities. The proposed CREATe will work with the PCRET, Electricity department of GB, AKAH and other associated institutions.
iv. Gilgit Baltistan Is located at the gateway of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is considered as destiny changer for the region. In post CPEC scenario, GB will become hub for international trade and commerce which will trigger extensive commercial activities in the region. To harness these opportunities, it is imperative to provide the desired human resource to the market. There is a need to focus on research related to CPEC. It is noteworthy that KIU has already established CPEC Research Centre which has organized a number of conferences, workshops, Seminars from time to time. At present the KIU CPEC Research is involved in diversified research under the HEC funded project. The Confucius set established under Confucius Centre Beijing University is providing Chinese Language Learning facility to the youth of GB. Every graduate of KIU is obliged to learn two levels of Chinese Language i.e. HSK-I and HSK-II. This gives functional literacy to the graduates who can apply for various scholarship programs of Chinese Government. Apart from KIU graduates, the general public have also benefited from this facility. Native language teachers have been managed for coaching of the students. These graduates will have better opportunities of higher education and research in the Chinese Universities, in times to come. There is a need to conduct more thematic research in areas related to CPEC. At KIU more courses have been introduced in various programs, to highlight the significance of Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI).
v. Due to limited job market in the GB region, the thin public and private sectors provide very few job opportunities for the graduates. At the same time, the tourism and hospitality sector has been enhanced and more than 1.6 million visited GB last year. This year even 2 million tourists are expected to visit Northern Areas. The growing tourism sector provides unmatched job and business opportunities for the people of GB. In this context. KIU has already started Tourism and Hospitality Management program in KIU sub campus, Hunza. In this context the first ever “International Conference on Mountaineering, Eco-Tourism and Hospitality (IC-METH)” was organized at KIU Hunza Campus on June 27-29,2019. The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Chancellor of KIU, Dr. Arif Alvi was Chief guest at the closing ceremony. The conference highlighted important aspects of Eco-tourism, Mountaineering and Hospitality Management in the special context of GB. Two plenary sessions and 3 technical sessions were held in which about 30 key note/invited papers and research papers were presented. International presenters from Tanzania, Malaysia, UK , Slovenia and UN in addition to national speakers from different parts of the country and GB participated and shared their research in the areas of Eco-tourism, policies and regulatory framework, Edu-tourism, Geo-tourism, Religious Tourism, Cultural Tourism, CPEC and its impacts on Tourism etc. The conference has established a pitch for future research in these areas and also pave way for establishment of “Karakoram International Institute on Mountaineering, Eco-Tourism and Hospitality at Hunza.
vi. Another very important area of research can be “Early Childhood Development (ECD)”. The first 1000 days in the life of human being is very important. This include the time when the child in the womb of mother and later upto 3-4 years, till he/she is admitted to formal schooling. ECD takes care for the child till age of 4-5. Major part of human personality is developed during this period. In GB, the work and research done by Rupani Foundation (RF) and Aga Khan Foundation in the areas of ECD and ECE has been highly significant and a model for rest of the country. KIU organized on Conference last summer in 2018 on ECD with the support of Rupani Foundation. This year an International Conference has been organized at AIOU Islamabad jointly by Rupani Foundation, KIU and AIOU in Sep 2019. A policy dialogue has also been organized at KIU in August 2019 with the support of RF. KIU has also agreed in principles to Establish Early Childhood Development Research Centre (ECD-RC) under Faculty of Education. Early Childhood Development and Education (ECD/ECE) can be a promising area of research for MS/PhD students of Education department.
vii. Gilgit Baltistan is blessed with great variety of medicinal plants. According to a study, GB is having about 200-300 medicinal plants, which provides a great treasure for harnessing and extracting the medicinal substance for its use for various diseases. Last year in Aug 2018, the department of Chemistry organized a ”National Conference on Medicinal Plants Research” in collaboration with HEJ center University of Karachi. The Director General of HEJ, Prof. Iqbal Ch was Chief guest at the inaugural session, whereas the Chief Minister GB was the Chief Guest at the concluding ceremony. The conference highlighted the need for the collaborative research to explore the medicinal plants of GB and their extracts. More than 100 delegates participated the conference. A proposal for Establishment of KIU Medicinal Plants Research (KM-PRC) was also developed by the department of Chemistry which was also shared with the Dr. Attaur Rahman, an eminent Scientist/Chemist and formed Chair HEC. The research on medicinal plant is already underway at department of Chemistry which needs further strengthening and collaboration with the renowned pharma companies of the country.
viii. GB is also home to the world ancient civilization and cultures. The history of “Silk Route” and its associated culture and civilization is a rich resource of the areas. One of the earliest Bhudist University was stabled in Darail areas of Diamer district. At present the major languages of GB are Shina, Balti, Khawar, Brushiski but there are few more languages like Gojri, Domki etc, which are also spoken in some parts. Some of the languages are already extinct and few are endangered. Research on history, culture and Languages of GB has been an active field and the world renowned organizations like UNESCO etc. has great interest in it. Similarly, the rock carvings of the region have unique and historic value, which is deteriorating. At KIU, the Centre of Culture Heritage is being upgraded to “Department of Gilgit Baltistan Studies” which can focus on these diversified challenges and resources of GB Culture, Language and History.
ix. Biodiversity of Flora and Fauna of GB is also unique and need special emphasis. Some of the species of GB are already at very endeared level. The department of Life Science can focus on collaboration with the Wild Life department, WW etc. to develop projects and attract research funding. The research work at KIU has been mainly focused on Plants (Flora) with little emphasis over Fauna. There is a need to diversify the department and its research in the animal sciences also. The themes of plant research also need diversification. The department of Life Sciences may collaborate with the department of Chemistry to strengthen their research on medicinal plants as well. Cataloging the animals of GB and hi-tech research is also required on endangered species like snow leopard, Snow bears etc.
Research has been one of the top agenda of my 8 priorities and the establishment of KIU Graduate School (KGS) has provided a greater opportunity for collaborating with the national and international sponsors, research institutes and Universities for thematic research focused on the challenges and problem of Gilgit Baltistan. The research funding at KIU has been linked to the local needs of the GB and its possible impact on socio-economic development of the region. KIU is highly indebted to their supporters for research including Higher Education Commission, Pakistan Science Foundation, Pakistan Academy of Science, FCNA, Federal Government ( ICT R&D fund), Provincial Government, ICIMOD, AKDN, AKAH, AKRSP, Rupani Foundation, AKF, AKU, UCA etc. for the continued support. KIU has established a “Research Endowment Fund” under ORIC and FCNA has contributed a sum of Rs. 2 Million to this fund. Every year about 10 Million is allocated to this fund.
“Our society needs more heroes who are scientists, researchers, and engineers. We need to celebrate and reward people who cure diseases, expand our understanding of humanity, and work to improve people’s lives.” – Mark Zuckerberg

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