Organizing Scientific Research

Scientific research has to be well-organised and well-coordinated to yield results. Research can be organized using different schemes or criteria. Organization helps to complete projects in time and avoid duplication of efforts. Some of these schemes of organization are given here.

1- By Approach

Scientific research or study can be carried out in three main modes. These are experimental (measurements using equipment), computational (doing simulations) and analytical (or theoretical). This type or form of research needs to be developped in Pakistan (or even in South Asia as a whole). Institutes specialised in experimental sciences are the ones that put any proposal to the test and then the realization of prototypes based on the results. Such institutes are operational in the USA, Europe and other scientifically advanced countries. For example, Center for Turbulence Research (CTR) in USA and CERFACS in France are dedicated centers for Computational Fluid Dynamics. Similarly Von Karman Institute (VKI) of Fluid Dynamics in Belgium specialises in the experimental approach in aeronautics.

2- By Specialization

In some centers, research is focussed on special topics like aerodynamics, combustion, nano-electronics,  atomic energy, biotechnology, agriculture, jet engines, naval architecture, automotive engines, different diseases like cancer or even information technology. These research centers work in close collaboration with the industry. These are already present in Pakistan in one form or other. These institutes include NASA (USA), ONERA (France), DLR (Germany), TsAGI (Russia) etc. 

3- By Subject Area

Sometimes research institutes are based on a specific subject like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geology etc. These institutes are predominantly attached to universities and serve to produce PhD theses. Such institutes are also already working in Pakistan.

4- Regional Research

Based on the industrial requirement/speciality of a region or province or even city, these research centers provide guidance and improvement in that industrial area. The city of Faisalabad (Pakistan) has a textile industry and a regional research center on textile would be a nice addition to the existing textile college.

Even the universities of the region should focus their reseach on the regional industrial and agricultural projects. Where there is mining industry, for example in Balochistan, the regional Engineering University should undertake research projects on the mining in collaboration with the regional mining industry. If mining or digging contracts are given to the overseas multinationals, they should be bound to accept the students of the regional Engineering Universities in internships and research projects. This regional research is given much importance in Europe.

5- International Centers of Research


Sometimes research on a topic is conducted by several countries in a single research center like in Europe or of NATO.  We should have a South Asian Institute of Technology or a SAARC Institute of Medical Sciences etc. This would also promote regional cooperation.


6- Engineering Universities

A departement of an engineering univeristy or institute can itself become specialised in an industrial application. Like the Pegasus network of Engineering colleges in France are focussed on the aerospace, ENSAM network of Engineering colleges are more geared towards turbomachinery and Ecole Centrale network of Engineering colleges in France have expertise in aerodynamics (Mechanical Deptt). A departement of mechanical engineering can become a "competence center for wind turbines". This is already happening in the Scandinavia.

7- Professors of Engineering Universities

It should be encouraged that professors of the engineering universities become specialized in a certain industrial application in addition to their subject of speciality (if both are not already the same). For example, a professor of heat transfer can become specialized in heat exchangers or air conditioners;  a professor of thermodynamics can be specialized in automotive engines or gas turbines; a professor of fluid mechanics can become specialist of pumps, water turbines or wind turbines etc. Similarly a professor of electric/electronic engineering can be a specialist of antennae, radars, microcontrollers etc. It is in the same fashion as is done in an Air Force or Airline, i.e, every technician has his trade in addition to his qualification/degree.

8- Summer Schools


They are suited for a meeting or training of people working on the same axis of research.


Coordination

Coordination is always done on projects or themes of research within a domain of study. For every project or theme, engineers and scientists make a team with members selected from various types of research groups. Some would study the problem with experimental approach, others with computational approach and still others with analytical. If the problem is in the domain of a specialized research institute, it can become coordinator for that project. Every project is subdivided into work groups and a manager is appointed for that group. All different approaches to the problem would give a detailed insight to the project coordinator for further analyses and conclusions.