Quartermain calls on universities to do research work

THE dean of the University of Vudal’s School of Natural Resources Dr Alan Quartermain said research was the livelihood of any university.
Dr Quartermain, the former chief scientist of the National Agricultural Research Institute, plans to encourage academics at the university to engage in more research work.
After taking the post last Monday, he said research was very important because it established the credentials of an institution and developed critical thinking.
“Research comes from curiosity and develops one’s capacity to take those questions and find answers,” Dr Quartermain, who hails from New Zealand, said.
He said while time and funding remained the main reasons why academics were not actively involved in research, he would look at finding ways to assist them to overcome these hindrances even if it meant finding ways to reduce their teaching load.
Dr Quartermain also emphasised the need for academics to have more publications, which he said established international networks.
“Writing and publishing something is generally thought of as something hard to do but I have found out that the more you write, the easier it becomes,” Dr Quartermain said.
He added it was through publishing and submitting papers that one got invited to national and international meetings.
It resulted in gaining recognition for themselves and boosting the image and quality of their institution.
“While the University of Vudal is generally known throughout PNG , we are virtually unknown in the international scene,” he said.
Dr Quartermain said the spin-off effects of the two would include a higher academic level within the university as well as broad-thinking graduates.

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