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Research is the primary measure by which
universities and university faculty are judged
world-wide. The quality of research is also a
primary criteria used by graduate students and
young faculty when considering their future
employment choices. Thus, in its pursuit of “world-class”
status, research is a primary area for
improvement at IITB.
Research is hampered by inadequate facilities, too
few top-level graduate students to provide the
necessary research labor force, and lack of access
to research money in a timely fashion. While IITB
is generally acknowledged for its research within
India, that same research is not given the same
level of recognition on a world-wide scale.
Attainment of “world-class” status absolutely
requires recognition of IITB as a top research
institute.
With a few exceptions, research facilities are
generally inadequate and maintenance is lacking.
Equipment is generally outdated, not well
maintained, and even sensitive electronic
equipment is often plagued by a lack of
maintenance and upgrade. The condition of
laboratories, lack of state-of-the-art equipment
and below par maintenance at IITB hold capable
faculty from reaching their full potential as
researchers. In turn, this lack of “world-class”
research capacity at IITB thwarts recruitment of
top-level graduate students as well as young
“world-class” faculty who know research is the key
to professional recognition and advancement.
The desire to attract research investment by
industry must be considered in the context of
existing facilities. Inadequate and poorly
maintained facilities will force potential major
corporate sponsors to discount IITB, when
comparing facilities to those of world-class
institutes. To attract major corporate investment
will require an investment on the part of IITB and
its supporters in research infrastructure, if it is to
ever hope to achieve world-class status.
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