A dear friend came to visit me some days ago and started discussing the research that is being done in this part of the world, where most of the scholars at different universities in India, especially in the field of social science and humanities, do not work on the practical grounds rather postulate their own theories and speculations, which most of the time are the outcome of bogus and impractical findings based on abstract ideas — where scales, hypothesis, variables, and methodologies, unlike science research, are not the result of labs and laboratories but are the copy and paste or paraphrasing of already done research
While stretching it further, he opined that the research in the faculty of arts in general and the above-mentioned disciplines in particular is a mere waste of money and time. The money that is being spent on this field of research could have been used for other aspects of the well-being of the state. According to him, most of the scholars or degree holders in the field of social science and humanities were unworthy, incapable, and, moreover, mere plagiarists.
Coming from a man who is himself a research scholar in one of the central universities of India in the field of social science and sharing this kind of notion dwindled me to a large extent, not because of his myopic suppositions or empirical understanding, but because a scholar who is about to complete his research must not have this frame of mind. I, in my heart of hearts, thought something must be wrong somewhere, as the research that is being done or has already been done in the above-mentioned fields has almost failed to bring about the transformation in society that it was intended to, given the plight of government schools and institutions and their student-teacher ratio. And it won’t be wrong to say that his supposition was enough to be inciting and full of intrigue to delve deep into what he perceived and shared.
I asked him why he looked so downbeat, defeatist, and gloom-ridden when he is on the verge of completing his research in the same field. While answering this question, his sarcastic smile before his articulation surprised me substantially. He said while shooting his answer, “Being in the university for more than four years, I figured that the research in the above fields is the result of a mere copy-paste trend and paraphrasing of research that has been done in the same fields.” He seemed fed up with the atmosphere the universities have these days. He said that most of the scholars and so-called professionals in the universities don’t read even a newspaper or a book; they never update their knowledge. In order to solidify his argument, he added that he was asked a question by one of the experts in his pre-submission presentation, the finding of which the expert didn’t know himself.
I’m completely worn out, because every day I encounter many research scholars, including professors, whose concern has been reduced to their fat salaries, which they draw from the government treasury without an iota of responsibility. One could easily sense and figure they don’t bother and have turned very cold about the academic excellence nor do their hearts beat for the students and scholars to whom they owe a huge responsibility. At times it seems they are blot on education system or in the name of higher education particularly. Moreover, down the line, when the situation is worse, why aren’t we producing people like Gandhis, APJs, Tygores, and many like minds anymore? If I ask you?
The universities, nowadays, have become no less than any showbiz industry, where the so-called academicians, instead of carrying bags with books or discussing ideas, are seen discussing with their colleagues the assets they have amassed or the luxurious trending cars they are planning to buy. The meaning of university, which meant a high level of knowledge and learning, where high level degrees and academic research were being done, has become a fashion hub, where students, research scholars, academicians, and non-teaching staff are showcasing their photogenic faces and appealing designs they wear. Unfortunately, some of the universities these days have become a picnic spot where marriage proposals, suitors, and dates are being fixed. Moreover, a university in our valley is considered the best place for such happenings.
Recently, I was told by someone about a university where the dean of that university had approved the research for awarding a doctorate degree, and the researcher herself didn’t know which scale she had used or why she had used it. This is the plight of some universities in India. Now if we come to private universities, on practical grounds, no research is being done there, nor do they bother whether the person has used proper research methodologies or not. The main focus of private universities is to enroll as many students as possible to pile up a lot of money.
A classmate, who is a good student, was enrolled for an M.Phil degree in one of the private universities in India, and on his submission, he told me he had some plag issues, as he was simultaneously employed somewhere despite being enrolled as a regular student in that university. To sort out that plag report, he didn’t revisit his thesis but, instead, filled the pocket of the agent of the concerned university with a handsome amount, who happened to be a Kashmiri. He further told me that in these private universities, the agents have become no less than brokers, who work tirelessly for private universities in different capacities to earn their commission. These brokers are from different states and work for these private universities, respectively. He added.
Since higher education in India again and again changes its policies and criteria for fulfilling assistant professor positions in colleges and universities, its new policy has allotted most of the credits to PhDs rather than MAs, MPhils, or NETs without over viewing the fact that the research, be it MPhil or PhD, has become an outcome of good bucks rather than extensive study of fieldwork or exertion.
An Assistant Professor of English once told me about an Assistant Professor who shies away from telling people, friends, and colleagues that he holds a PhD degree from one of the private universities in India, as, in his heart of hearts, he is well aware that he has not done justice with his research and that his mentor played a great role in placing him as an Assistant Professor.
Considering these facts, people at the helm of affairs ought to think meticulously while setting the norms and criteria for the selection process; otherwise, students in Stockpiling Points will forget the real excellence and efficiency, as is happening these days. May good sense prevail?
(Author is RK Columnist and can be reached at:[email protected])
