Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India...

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Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi Sadana Sabharwal Research Advisor: Sukhadeo Thorat

Transcript of Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India...

Page 1: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Think Tank-University Relationships in India

Indian Institute of Dalit StudiesNew Delhi

India

Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi Sadana Sabharwal

Research Advisor: Sukhadeo Thorat

Page 2: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Specific ObjectivesWhy and How TTS and University develop linkages

1.Understand the nature of relationship between TTs and Universities;

2.Study forms of both way interactions between TTs with the Universities ;

3.Explore Reasons for Think Tank’s involvement with Universities ,

4. Explore Reasons why Universities get involved with TTs ,what motivated them ?

5.How such interactions facilitates the quantity and quality of research,

6 How IDRC TT Initiative has enhance the supply quality of research

Page 3: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Data Base and Methodologies

Samples - 12 TTs , (9 IDRC and 3 non IDRC) and 4 Universities with 19 faculties.

Secondary sources: Literature Reviews, Annual Reports and other Documents / Policy Documents

Primary data through structured questionnaires for Quantitative/Qualitative Analysis: • Think Tank’s Questionnaire – Part I : ( information about T Ts / Profiling)

• Think Tank’s Questionnaire – Part II : (Nature of collaboration between T Ts and Universities ).

• University Questionnaire– Part III : (basic information about the University and its association with TTs either by the institution or in individual capacities)

3. Qualitative Methods: Focus Group Discussions and Face-to-Face Interviews

Page 4: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

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Profile of Think Tanks

• Studied 12 TTS and 4 Universities : North , South East and South of India

• Found great deal of diversity in their age, constitution, thrust area; faculty strength, and nature of funding.

• Started in the early 1950s, continued through the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and into the 2000s. Set up initially by eminent academicians and few by Govt,

Main functions: Research – (Theoretical ,Empirical Policy); publications, dissemination ; capacity building; and policy advocacy .

Funding source – Broad types : (a) Own endowment /fixed grants for limited period/ projects (b) Annual grants from govt /fixed grants for limited period/ projects,(c) fixed grants for limited period / projects and ( d) Projects funding only

Page 5: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Profile (contd.—)

Collaborative Universities also vary :

These mainly include : • Central Universities ,( preference )• State Universities, both are government funded , Private Universities, and

• Foreign Universities . particularly in UK and US,( preference)

Page 6: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Nature of Interaction of University faculty with TTs

Involvement by TTs as Institutions with Universities is found in various spheres : In Governance • Board of Governors • Research Advisory Committee

•In Research • Research Projects; • Research Publications;

•Capacity Building • Training or Capacity Building of Staff;

• Dissemination and Communication • Dissemination activities - Symposiums /Seminars / Conferences / Workshops etc.

• Policy Dialogue and Advocacy by Think Tanks.

Page 7: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Results : Involvement of Universities in TTs (cont--)

• Involvement in multiple spheres –from Board (20%), RAC ( 40%), Research ( 23%) to Publication (14 to 19%) .

• Involvement also takes the form of lectures ( 43%) ,Visiting faculty (64%), Adj. Faculty (32%) and others, WCS ( 55%)

• Thus UNV faculty involved as managers , Advisors and contributors ( in research and publication),

• TTI benefits from University faculty in governance , in direction of research, actual research and research publication.

•Research include joint writing of research project , and joint research project , (173 joint research project during last three years, second after research by own faculty of TTS out of total of 732 projects ).

• Then comes the joint publication of books ,and articles. (Out of 281 books ,77 with faculty ,and out of 829 articles 147 jointly with faculty) .

Page 8: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

•Capacity building through, WSC ( 54%) , Visiting faculty ( 64%) Adj faculty ( 32%) and lectures

• Human Resource : Many interns later on join T Ts as faculties and PhD students of affiliates University faculty joined TTS .•Thus TTI encourages university faculty involvement as institutionally Benefits in•Benefit in governance,•Research Advise ,agenda,•Benefit from theory , Methods /techniques,•Quality Publication improves,•capabilities of researchers in theory /methods -Add to prestige /standing TT linkages with universities-individualSharing knowledge /teaching/lecture, Academic ,PhD supervisors, Project advisor and members of Committee - governance

Page 9: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Alternatively Why University Faculty develop linkages with TTs-Inter–relationship seems to be mutual – faculty reach out to TTs to meet their needs as well .Reasons for faculty to collaborate with TTs

(a)TTs administrative and financial procedures for research projects are flexible ,friendly and encouraging as against the regimented one in universities

(a)Lot more freedom to undertake empirical and policy research and opportunities ,(c)TTs specialized in policy research in area of faculty’s interest, and social cause (d)Opportunities for more visibility to research findings due to mechanism for dissemination in TTs ,which lacks in universities (e)Opportunities for policy impact due to policy advocacy ,-lack in universities

(d)Easy availability of finances arranged by TTS , and by pass competition

Page 10: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Reasons for University faculties ( contd.)--

• Exposure to research themes which are of contemporary relevance and cutting edge, as TTs are engaged in the issue of contemporary relevance ,

• More research output help in improving the research profile at with greater ease .

• Often opportunities for PhD students working with faculty for empirical research and later for jobs.,

•Often courses are developed or modified based on TT research

Page 11: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Conceptualizing :TTs- University Relationship

Results enable us to conceptualize the relationship at the cost of over simplification .

linkages are developed to satisfy mutual needs and urge ,by drawing

on each others strengthen ,( and overcome weakness) , it is a

relation of cooperation and conversion .

Page 12: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

Thus linkages between TTs and Universities are developed to meet the mutual institutional needs and individual desire and impulses for both -purposive policy research for social cause , advocacy and sharing of knowledge . Ultimate outcome is more quality research through mutual cooperation Mutual cooperation brings conversion and win –win situation .( Similar to African studies' conclusion)Conversion – setting TTs by faculty outside university,Setting program/Centres in Universities , linkages with TTS is one of them ( Similar to observation made that universities are becoming TTs and TTS in to universities)

C

Page 13: Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi.

IDRC support has further strength this linkages leading to more quality research - -based on 9 IDRC TTI

Due to enhanced research capacity – research staff, training, organisational improvement ,

Improved policy advocacy – capacity enhancement

TTI award brought recognition, prestige and standing

This is particularly the case for young and new TTI which are engaged in new andNeglected issues .