Academic connectivity
CATHRYN BENNET
The connectivity among SAARC nations can be maximized by university connections, including more lenient mobility regulations for academics. As the regional leaders convene in Kathmandu to address areas of cooperation like energy, transport, and travel, the untapped potential for improved connectivity lies in higher education networking and mobility. As more scholars study and teach away from their home countries, the regions’ education needs are not different from education needs elsewhere. Scholars are becoming more active in seeking opportunities to engage in academic dialog such as publishing in scholarly journals. Academics are also participating in conferences to share experiences. These activities increasingly require domestic and international travel. Beyond these unifying pursuits, the SAARC region presents unique academic opportunities. In this corner of the world people are experiencing and engaging in a unique phenomenon where traditional cultures are rapidly meeting the forces of modernization. Each SAARC nation’s distinguishing qualities indicate that even the most perfunctory research and scholarly pursuits must become regionally and culturally appropriate. These must be observed to protect and conserve different features of this region, ranging from ethics and values, national dress, indigenous flora and fauna, regional dialects, and food culture found in each place. When these topics are included in the planning for regional connectivity and academic relationships representing each place are nurtured around them, university networking becomes a powerful asset to serve the needs and goals of the SAARC area. One laudable project supporting the sustainability aspect of these regional needs exists in the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) under the auspices of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This initiative’s outcome, as published on the ICIMOD webpage, indicates an intention for “Enhanced collaboration and networking among Himalayan universities leading to increased capacity of professional women and men for sustainable mountain development through mountain-specific education”. The HUC project is necessary and commendable. However, it does not go far enough to address all of the SAARC area’s higher education needs, nor should it. In fact, this limited focus is not a misstep. ICIMOD’s agenda primarily addresses environmental issues, not the full gamut of higher education priorities. Nonetheless, the HUC is a remarkable starting point to build relationships and share best practices among Himalayan academics for sustainability. Ideally this cooperative model can become a springboard for a broader collaboration agenda among SAARC area institutions to address many pressing issues relevant to the region, not only sustainable development. To become a supportive mechanism for regional connectivity,
university collaboration must expand beyond the trailblazing example of the HUC toward a multi-disciplinary approach. What is needed is networking that accommodates many facets of society and culture represented in the various SAARC nations. As a centrally-located and ever more accessible country that is currently experiencing rapid development while maintaining cultural preservation, Bhutan can play a strong role in facilitating further expansion of university networking. While it is part of the HUC and is contributing toward knowledge development in the HUC focus areas, Bhutan also has much to offer to support other aspects of higher education networking. The academic culture in Bhutan is shifting toward greater respect for and understanding of the purpose and role of research. The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) is undertaking many research-supportive initiatives. Several constituent campuses within the RUB have domaindedicated, peer-reviewed academic journals. Paro College of Education bi-annually publishes a journal conducted by the Centre for Education Research and Development. Additionally, Gaeddu College of Business Studies intends to publish its inaugural peer-reviewed journal, the Bhutan Journal of Business and Management, next May. Also, several programs are on offer for the RUB faculty to hone their research methodology skills and understanding. Gaeddu College of Business Studies hosted a qualitative research seminar last spring and is currently conducting a professional development series on quantitative statistical analysis methods. By emphasizing the need for national and regional research, the RUB is demonstrating its desire to develop region- and culture-based best practices for education within Bhutan and also to support its academicians to collaborate with other regional institutions and scholars. Furthermore, the country is becoming progressively more accessible. The ongoing expansion of Paro International Airport to allow for greater air traffic as well as greater variety and frequency of flights in and out of Bhutan both serve to support greater mobility of people into and out of the country. While Bhutan is taking active measures to improve its academic capacity for research and ease of travel, the issue of mobility continues in the SAARC area. While infrastructure in Bhutan and the region are rapidly improving, the ease of movement for academicians has not grown to meet the rapid improvement of transportation potential. For most scholars, airfare, visa fees, and other ancillary travel costs make even regional cooperation nearly insurmountable. Although remarkable effort is being currently made at the governmental level to augment collaboration among SAARC nations, higher education networking stands to support these initiatives specific to cultural knowledge creation and especially sharing of regionally specific best practices. If this concept of grassroots collaboration is to come to fruition, however, mobility supports are needed which allow for improved ease of movement for the region’s scholars.
The author is a Lecturer at Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Royal University
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Published on 2014-11-26 00:20:54
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