UOB: Funds shortage 'curbing research'

From Gulf Daily News (19th April, 2005)
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By MONTHER AL ARRAYEDH


<>A LACK of funds is strangling academic research at Bahrain University, according to a senior lecturer. The university allocates a budget of BD70,000 to finance research every year, but that is not enough, according to vice-president for academic programmes and scientific research Dr Mohammed Hassan Al Sayed. He now wants the government and firms to consider using the university's resources to conduct research instead of appointing private consultants.

"In light of the current direction towards decreasing the university's budget by BD3 million for 2006 and coming years, scientific research will be the first victim," he said.

"The Scientific Research Deanship has to think of alternative sources for funds.

"We have to open up to society and gain the trust of companies, establishments and ministries and get them to sponsor scientific research.

"Why do they resort to international advisers and not approach us?"

Over the past five years Bahrain University professors published 1,348 research papers - 775 of which were published in international scientific magazines and 573 at international conferences, said Dr Al Sayed.

"What is the fate of these papers and how many of them were ever implemented practically?" he asked.

"In my view, the greatest obstacle for the university's scientific research is funds.

"The BD70,000 the university is spending on research is not enough - but that is all the university is capable of."

<>Dr Al Sayed was speaking at the university's First Annual Scientific Research Conference, which was launched yesterday at its Sakhir campus. The two-day conference, sponsored by Bapco, is organised by the university's Scientific Research Deanship in collaboration with all university colleges. It is being held under the patronage of university president Dr Shaikha Mariam bint Hassan Al Khalifa under the theme Towards Distinguished Scientific Research. In addition to the conference, an exhibition of outstanding graduation projects opened at the university's administration hall, in Sakhir.