Introduction :

St Paul’s College, Kalamassery is a prestigious Arts & Science College, established in 1965 and affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The College is firmly committed to promoting a scientific, safe and ethical research culture that is in alliance with its mission and vision. It strongly believes that research can contribute not only to the improvement of the academic atmosphere of the college but also to the betterment of society as a whole. The Research Policy has been drafted by the Research Committee to provide the basic norms and guidelines for aiding the research activities of the institution. It is mandatory that all research activities should conform to the rules and regulations set down by the affiliating University, viz; Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and the UGC.

Objectives Of The Research Policy:

  • To facilitate the establishment of an academic culture that promotes research aptitude and fosters a scientific temperament among both faculty and students.
  • To coordinate the research activities of the College and synchronize them with the College’s vision and mission.
  • To ensure that professionalism, integrity and honesty are adhered to in all research activities, that the safety and well-being of researchers are not compromised and that there is no conflict of interest between researchers and the research policy of the College.
  • To discourage and eliminate plagiarism and other such malpractices.
  • To promote interdisciplinary research and identify areas that will prove beneficial to the society and contribute to the development of the nation.

Mechanism For Implementation Of Research Policy:

  • The faculty shall be encouraged to pursue research in order to enhance their subject knowledge and professionalism, as well as for the benefit of the student community and society.
  • The Research Committee shall identify and disseminate information regarding opportunities for undertaking research projects and receiving funds for research from various research, industry and government institutions.
  • Faculty shall be encouraged to take up original research work leading to a research degree– be it pure, applied or empirical. Faculty who has already received their Research degrees shall be encouraged to take up research projects.
  • Students shall also be encouraged to pursue original work as part of the projects submitted to the University in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
  • Both faculty and students shall be encouraged to present their findings in monthly meetings organized by the Research Committee.
  • All researchers shall be encouraged to present their work through academic events and to publish their findings in national and international journals of repute.
  • The Research Committee shall take the initiative to look into the procedures and feasibility of providing seed money, granting leave to and adjusting the workload of deserving faculty for advanced research.
  • All research proposals- institutional, from faculty or students, shall be screened by the Research Committee and approved, with suggested alterations/improvements before submission.
  • The Research Committee shall encourage inter – academic and industrial linkages including MOUs to facilitate the free flow of knowledge and experience that leads to better research.
  • All Departments shall be actively encouraged to develop into Research Centres.