Why HEIs should find a balance between teaching and research
Research earns citations and accolades while teaching involves shaping young minds. Higher education needs both to shine
- ✓Research earns citations and accolades while teaching involves shaping young minds.
- ✓Higher education needs both to shine
- ✓Civic Domain: Categorized under education public notices.
It is a fact that, in India and in the West, conducting research is considered more prestigious and profitable compared to teaching, especially UG teaching. Whether it is recruitment, self-appraisal, or institutional assessment, or accreditation and ranking done by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) or the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), research is a key component and crucial for boosting the institution’s grade and ranking.
Globally, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, and the Academic Ranking of World Universities place significant emphasis on research alongside teaching. While talking about the research-teaching nexus, excellence in one domain does not necessarily guarantee excellence in the other.
Brilliant teachers are not always outstanding researchers and, conversely, highly competent researchers are not always smart teachers. Richard Feynman is a preeminent example of being an exceptional researcher as well as a teacher.
Venki Ramakrishnan is another extraordinary scientist and brilliant communicator. But these are exceptions. The frontiers of knowledge have to be constantly redefined and reconfigured, for the world is facing unprecedented challenges.
New concepts, theories, and paradigms have to be generated and disseminated to address upcoming challenges. The trade-off between teaching and research in academia will persist, but the stakes increasingly favour research.
The writer is Emeritus Professor, Gandhigram Rural Institute, Gandhigram, Tamil Nadu
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| Issuing Authority | The Hindu Education & Career |
|---|---|
| Topic Category | EDUCATION |
| Jurisdiction | All India / National |
| Publication Date | 31 October 2026 |