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Managing Creativity on a Budget: The Future of Academic Research and Development in Lebanon
Higher Education in the Arab World: Research and Development ; : 275-296, 2022.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2290839
ABSTRACT
The central mission of a university is the discovery, dissemination, and application of new knowledge. In this regard, research is key to a university's reputation and gradually becoming the basis of its academic and financial success. Research and innovation are critical for expanding the knowledge base and the stream of highly educated individuals who, in turn, can provide economic vigor and competitiveness to their society. Although the main focus of this chapter is on Lebanon, the challenges outlined, and solutions proposed may apply anywhere else, particularly in developing countries, since Lebanese academic research institutions are a magnified microcosm of academic centers around the world. Lebanon may be home to some of the earliest founded modern universities in the Middle East and the Arab World, with a few constantly affirming their leading position among the best universities in the world through competitive cutting-edge research. However, the preeminence of research as a substrate for academic excellence in Lebanon's universities is at risk particularly without sustained investment in public and private academic institutions. In the COVID era and when Lebanon's economy is in freefall and the government is unable to increase spending on higher education, the survival - not to mention growth - of research universities is threatened, unless purposeful national research strategies are developed that guide more investments into higher education, and unless universities become more efficient and focus their research on national priorities and goals. In light of the many economic and global challenges, a new roadmap is needed to revive the role of the university in research and development. This chapter highlights the problems that plague academic research and development in Lebanon as well the challenges faced by higher education in that regard and proposes realistic solutions to tackle these challenges. These include research strategies focused on national needs, communication about the value of research universities, proper infrastructure to provide material resources, collect and analyze data, scarcity of resources (human and material), understanding the complexities of research administration and leadership, balancing academic freedom with societal, cultural and institutional expectations, standardized performance metrics, regulatory compliance and indirect cost allocation. Once the challenges are recognized and addressed, and a national research agenda is developed, the human capital - arguably the most valuable innovation resource - can be developed to maximize the use of material resources and purpose them towards national priorities. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: Scopus Language: English Journal: Higher Education in the Arab World: Research and Development Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: Scopus Language: English Journal: Higher Education in the Arab World: Research and Development Year: 2022 Document Type: Article