SL unis not conducive for R&D: WB

By Devin Jayasundera 

Lack of research culture, industry collaborations and inadequate facilities are a major drawback to boosting research and development (R&D) in Sri Lankan universities, the latest World Bank report says. 

The country’s expenditure on R&D is the lowest in the region. In 2010 Sri Lanka R&D to GDP ratio was a meagre 0.16%. 



Out of this only 11% was spent by universities whilst the rest was spread equally between Government research institutions and businesses.

According to the survey, academics cited heavy academic work load, inadequate lab facilities and lack of facilitation with companies as significant factors for low collaboration with industry. 

In contrast the industry opined that the lack of entrepreneurial spirit among academics and low commercialisation potential of university research as key deterrents to invest in R&D in universities. 

However, companies in Sri Lanka have not historically performed well in terms of R&D expenditure, technology absorption and innovation in respect to the number of patents issued. World Bank senior education specialist Kurt Larsen who was one of the researchers of the study said that unlike industrial countries like South Korea or even India, Sri Lankan companies do not have the critical mass to invest in research. According to his estimates less than 100 local companies have the required capability. “It is only when companies have some capacity, does to it makes sense to work with universities” said Larsen. 

Currently the main type of industry-university collaboration in universities is providing company placements for students whilst the main services offered to the industry are consultancy work.

“Sri Lankan universities do not emphasise research, they are primarily teaching universities,” said World Bank Education Specialist Dr. Harsha Aturpane. He explained the alarming averseness for research in faculties saying, “If a young academic comes back from abroad after his PhD to work in a local university, the head of department will tell him what the courses and tutorials are but he will never ask about the research he is planning do.”

Another factor that continues to ail R&D efforts in campuses is the lack of PhD holders in the university system. According to Aturpane less than 50% of local university academics have doctorates.  PhD holders from Humanities account for 33% while those in Management Sciences account for only 20%. “If we are really serious about research we need a high proportion of PhDs,” noted Dr. Aturpane.  He proposed a system where only lecturers with a PhD would be admissible for tenure. “We have too many permanent lecturers who have done masters degrees, most of the time in the same universities they did their undergraduate degree, and are just teaching with no exposure to research” he said.

University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. Mohan De Silva opined that some factors that are hindering a culture of innovation in universities can be attributed to lack of competition and autonomy within university system.  

“Unless we develop capable human resources within the university system we cannot expect universities to produce out-of-the-box work” said Prof. De Silva. “We should provide incentives for universities and extend them further to be recognised which would eventually provide the setting for other universities to also come in line”.

An overwhelming bulk of unemployed graduates stem from the Humanities and the Social Sciences. Prof. De Silva believes that by increasing their basic knowledge in IT, English, Maths and Statistics they would be made more attractive to employers. “These students are highly selective students because they are the only ones selected through all-island merit system unlike their sciences, engineering, commerce and technology counterparts”.                                                                                                  

Dr. Aturpane echoing similar remarks said, “It is fine that the scientists are doing the work and winning patents but where are the Social Sciences and the Humanities? Just as patents are important, with the growth of the country’s economy we also need good copyrights and trademarks”.

The World Bank in discussion with the Ministry of Higher Education is planning to offer research grants specifically targeting cross-field research projects to encourage collaboration between STEM subjects and Humanities.