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1. Objectives:
Goa University outlined a research framework to nurture investigators to achieve research excellence. At its core lies the objective to promote innovative research in thrust areas while concurrently maintaining research integrity, quality and ethics. Intensifying the practice initiated in 2018, of providing newly appointed permanent faculty with seed money of rupees one lakh, the university has since reinforced its research framework with the Research Incentive Fund (RIF) and the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) scheme covering Patents, Trademarks, Geographical Indicators (GI) and Copyright, set up to incentivise the enhancement of intellectual capital.
2. The Context:
Research is an integral part of the academic activities of any HEI. Hence, the Directorate of Research & Development and Resource Mobilisation (D-RDRM) created a research-conducive environment to incentivise research, as well as mentor and orient researchers to improve the quality of publications while focussing on global and Goa-centric problems.
The IPR cell annually awards 10 innovative proposals with a fund of Rs.50,000/- and assists in patent filing, copyright, trademarks and GI, also promoting industry-sponsored research.
The Goa University Innovation, Incubation and Start-Up Scheme (GUIISS) serves to guide, nurture and implement the Innovation, Incubation and Start-Up ecosystem to harvest the talent of Goan entrepreneurs to address societal problems. Through this scheme, entrepreneurs with feasible ideas, each receive a sum of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 100,000/-. In addition, domain, infrastructure, human resources, connectivity with investors and a Goa University mentor are made available.
3. The Practice:
To kick-start faculty research, Goa University has, since 2018, provided newly appointed permanent faculty with a grant of seed money to purchase essential research equipment. To avail of it, a faculty member must submit a research plan. The D-RDRM handles application approvals, and equipment acquired is henceforth the property of the faculty’s discipline. Faculty and doctoral students can obtain financial assistance to attend international conferences. Faculty are expected to publish research findings in refereed, national and international journals. To improve the quality of research publications, the university introduced its RIF scheme (2018), providing incentive points for publications that appear in SCOPUS (Elsevier) and/or Web of Knowledge (Clarivate Analytics) indexed journals. These points can be monetised for research-related expenditure. A single corresponding author is entitled to Rs.1 lakh (100 points for Q1 and 50 for Q2-Q4 journals). The RIF award process is hassle-free, and a faculty member can redeem accumulated RIF points at a later date to meet research-related expenses. To deter predatory journals, the author must declare publisher non-payment.
The Goa University implemented the IPR scheme in 2021 with the Intellectual Property Rights Committee (IPRC) accepting applications for patents, copyright, trademark and GI. The patent filing expenses and revenue sharing for commercialised patents are done as per statutory provisions. The expert panel reviews progress giving necessary, timely recommendations to Principal Investigators, based on which the university Intellectual Property Rights Assessment Committee (IPAC) gives further approval.
The university also provides administrative and financial assistance to submit and defend research projects funded by external agencies. A faculty member may submit a research project to any government or non-government agency through the D-RDRM, which maintains an up-to-date record of all submitted and sanctioned research projects. The university monitors the progress, maintains accounts and submits the utilisation certificate in time to the funding agency for all funded research projects. Collaborative research with peers from reputed national and international universities and institutions is much encouraged. The university MoUs with prominent universities and research institutions pave the way for joint research. Governed by statutes, the university and the sponsor jointly own any intellectual property from the sponsored research and consultancy projects.
The Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC) and the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) foresee mandatory ethical permissions and approvals in human and animal investigations. Research misconduct through fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism is firmly dealt with.
4. Evidence of Success:
The implementation of the research framework presented a significant increase in the number of journal articles published by Goa University faculty post-calendar year 2019—70% (from 504 to 722) for journals indexed by WoS and Scopus databases.
The academic years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 each saw 10 IPR projects funded and 14 projects for 2023-2024 with a grant of Rs. 50,000/- for each project. The university has filed 8 patents since the scheme’s inception.
For 2024 :
5. Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
Fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations and improving access to global academic resources will enhance the university’s research output. The partnership between academia and industry faces several challenges that hinder effective knowledge transfer and innovation. Industries require market-driven solutions, while academic institutions focus more on fundamental research. Additionally, bureaucratic barriers and rigid institutional policies slow down collaborations and funding approvals. Limited industry participation in curriculum design and research projects further weakens the connection. To bridge this gap, structured partnerships such as research internships, industry-sponsored projects, and joint innovation centers are essential. Increased funding from industries for applied research can enhance practical outcomes.
Fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations and improving access to global academic resources will enhance the university’s research output. The partnership between academia and industry faces several challenges that hinder effective knowledge transfer and innovation. Industries require market-driven solutions, while academic institutions focus more on fundamental research. Additionally, bureaucratic barriers and rigid institutional policies slow down collaborations and funding approvals. Limited industry participation in curriculum design and research projects further weakens the connection. To bridge this gap, structured partnerships such as research internships, industry-sponsored projects, and joint innovation centers are essential. Increased funding from industries for applied research can enhance practical outcomes.
The patent filing process presents several challenges for researchers and innovators. One major issue is the complexity and lengthy duration of the patent approval process, delaying commercialisation. High filing and maintenance costs further discourage individuals and institutions from patenting their innovations.
6. Notes:
The significant increase in the number of articles in the journals covered by Scopus/WoS databases suggested the schemes under the Research framework be continued as a best practice. Devoid of hidden complexities, this practice holds much promise due to its replicability in other institutions with an aim to increase research output.
1. Objectives:
To foster sustainable rural development, the Institute has adopted five villages across the State, engaging in community-driven problem-solving, capacity-building, and sustainable activities, while also promoting mechanised solutions to address the decline of traditional coconut harvesting practices through a patent. The ‘Lab to Land’ experiment of the Mushroom Cultivation and Incubation Center (MCIC) provides hands-on training and entrepreneurial opportunities for rural communities. Mussel farming, a sustainable aquaculture initiative, enhances economic resilience in coastal villages by offering a high-yielding source of livelihood. The revival of an ancient farming technique - ‘Puran Sheti’ aims to strengthen food security and preserve Indigenous agricultural knowledge.
2. The Context:
Envisaged as holistic best practice for sustainable community development, addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges rural and coastal communities face in Goa. Under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), the university continues its efforts in the adopted villages, addressing limited livelihood and lack of awareness of entrepreneurship-driven economic models. Traditional farming methods like Puran Sheti were at risk of disappearing due to urbanisation, changes in land use, and the decline of Indigenous knowledge transfer. While Goa’s coastal conditions are ideal for mussel farming, local fishing communities had limited engagement in this high-yield, eco-friendly aquaculture due to a lack of awareness and training. Mushroom farming is supported through experimental lab learning, dissemination of the know-how, and entrepreneurial guidance. The patented technology enhances local agricultural efficiency, while the Swachh Bharat Student Internship (SBSI) engages students in sanitation, sustainability, and rural outreach programs. Through scientific interventions and participatory learning, these practices foster self-sustaining rural development.
3. The Practice:
The integrated initiatives undertaken form a comprehensive model of sustainable community engagement, with a unique approach within Indian higher education combining academic research, field-based learning, and community engagement.
In the adopted villages of Cacra, Nauxi-Pirbhat, Pale-Shirdon, Madkai, and Gudi Paroda, the university fosters livelihood opportunities and environmental conservation, with the goal of community engagement eloquently expressed in a song composed under UBA. Students are engaged through SBSI in awareness drives on sanitation, waste management, and rural innovation, ensuring a community-centric approach to development. In addition, the Institute promotes hands-on learning to solve local problems, as witnessed in the development of the Unmanned Remote-Controlled Palm Tree Harvesting Robot, which enhances efficiency while preserving traditional coconut plucking practices. The uniqueness of this initiative lies in its hands-on, student-driven engagement model, which emphasises community-based learning as a core principle.
The Mushroom Cultivation and Incubation Center (MCIC) was established following a two-year research experiment at the university, where cultivation techniques were refined to ensure high-yield, sustainable production. Leveraging this expertise, the university now engages in off-site centers, facilitating knowledge transfer and skill-building in adopted villages. By training students and rural entrepreneurs, the initiative promotes hands-on learning and community-driven entrepreneurship, aligning with the Government of India’s ‘Lab to Land’ approach.
The university inaugurated mussel farming as a sustainable aquaculture practice in the presence of the Honourable Governor . With ideal coastal conditions, mussel farming presents an opportunity to enhance community participation through awareness programs and technical training to promote sustainable aquaculture. The Indo-German bilateral workshop and State-Level Workshop, followed by an internship in Marine Farming, provided scientific training to researchers, students and local fishing communities, demonstrating low-cost, high-yield aquaculture techniques. The initiative has started to gain traction, with local communities exploring commercial viability with institutional support.
A major component of the initiative is the revival of Puran Sheti, a traditional silt-based paddy farming technique once widely practised, which faced decline due to urbanisation and changing land-use patterns. A 500 sq. meter site at Duryachi Kond, Dhave-Tar, Sattari was identified for restoration. The process involved manual soil preparation, natural fertilisation (Kusharem), water conservation techniques, and community participation extensively documented to facilitate indigenous knowledge. The uniqueness of this initiative lies in integrating traditional agricultural wisdom with modern academic documentation enabling field-based learning.
Natural challenges, such as fluctuating water levels in the Mhadei River, and timely mussel spat availability were overcome with water management strategies and collaboration.
4. Evidence of Success:
The success is evident through livelihood generation, agricultural revival, and community engagement, as documented in institutional and media reports. In the adopted villages, Cacra, Nauxi-Pirbhat, Pale-Shirdon, Madkai, and Gudi Paroda, villagers have participated in various training programs on sustainable farming and entrepreneurship. The MCIC, developed through two years of research, successfully enables ‘Lab to Land’ knowledge transfer, empowering villagers through scalable mushroom farming workshops. The revival of Puran Sheti has led to a successful paddy yield, demonstrating that traditional silt-based farming methods remain viable in modern-day agriculture. Farmers were encouraged to reconsider adopting this technique. Puran Utsav, attended by around 300 participants, served as an academic and cultural milestone in preserving indigenous agricultural practices. The government order financing extensive documentation is evidence of indigenous knowledge transfer.
The Mussel Farming Initiative trained students and the local community, created awareness at the Indo-German bilateral workshop in Bremen, Germany on scientifically-backed sustainable aquaculture techniques leading to knowledge dissemination at State aquaculture events. The pilot project continues to thrive in Madkai and Cacra - St. Cruz with the Institute providing continued technical guidance. The results indicate a shift towards sustainable economic diversification, and ecological sustainability, reinforcing the role of higher education institutions in fostering community-driven development.
5. Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
The need for extensive awareness-building among local farmers and fishing communities due to initial scepticism towards sustainable practices as viable income-generating activities was tackled with interactive and hands-on training sessions. Another constructive challenge was the integration of scientific methods with traditional agricultural practices. The revival of Puran Sheti required a balance between preserving indigenous knowledge and incorporating modern agronomic techniques for improved productivity. This challenge encouraged collaborations between faculty, researchers, and local farmers, fostering a knowledge exchange that benefited both academic institutions and grassroots practitioners. From a resource perspective, the need for infrastructure, training modules, and financial investment drove the university to seek partnerships with government bodies such as the Goa State Biodiversity Board and Agriculture Technology Management Agency. Limited initial funding meant resource optimisation and local material use became priorities, leading to cost-effective solutions like eco-friendly fencing in Puran Sheti and low-cost mussel farming setups.
6. Notes:
The impact of these initiatives has been further recognised through various awards and state-level acknowledgements. Faculty member Dr. Lata Gawade engaged in the Mussel Farming Initiative and has been honoured for her contributions to sustainable aquaculture, highlighting the initiative’s significance in both academic and community-driven development.
At the Puran Sheti revival event, the Secretary of the Goa State Biodiversity Board praised Dr. Prakash Parienkar and emphasised the importance of such initiatives, and stated that they would be encouraged for future funding opportunities. This validation from government bodies has strengthened institutional efforts toward reviving indigenous agricultural knowledge. The success of Puran Sheti was later showcased at exhibitions, drawing further attention to the potential of integrating traditional farming techniques with modern scientific documentation and community participation.
1. Objectives:
2. The Context:
The Directorate of Art & Culture, Govt. of Goa created a scheme of Research Chair professors in the memory of eminent Goans so that Goa University could invite top intellectuals, practitioners and academicians from India and abroad to interact with our students to foster research. In response to this scheme, Goa University launched the Visiting Research Professors Programme (VRPP) to bring doyens in the fields of liberal arts, social and natural sciences, and other fields to the University. The visiting professors will interact with students, deliver lectures, offer courses, and work on collaborative research projects, or stimulate the creation of art installations and music performances with faculty and students. It is hoped that while blurring boundaries between traditional disciplines, the visiting professors will generate a creative environment in learning and contemporary knowledge production practices with their intellectual and aesthetic endeavors.
The first of the visiting professor chairs was mooted by the Department in the name of Goan polymath Prof. D.D. Kosambi during his birth centenary year, 2007. This was followed by the institution of professorships named after the well known Goan poet B.B. Borkar, and the first Chief Minister of Goa Shri Dayanand Bandodkar during their birth centenary years in 2010 and 2011, respectively. In 2012 the Department instituted three more chairs in the names of three eminent Goans, Shri Mario Miranda, Shri Anthony Gonsalves, and Shri Nana Shirgaokar. The seventh chair in the name of Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye was instituted in 2015 in the field of Marathi Sant Sahitya.
3. The Practice:
4. Evidence of Success:
The results indicate that the programme has created a long lasting impact on research scholars, PG students, and general public. It has created to bring back interest in the field of social sciences, art, literature and music. Opportunity to interact directly with the eminent scholars and practitioners has an opportunity to learn from masters.
5. Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
The original idea behind instituting of the professorships was to attract academics around the country to serve as full-time professors at the campus of Goa University. It turned out, however, that well-established academics were reluctant to relocate to Goa. So for almost two years, university was not able to launch the programme. Hence it was decided to change the format and invite top intellectuals and academicians for a short period of around 15 days usually 2-3 times in a year to conduct 1 or 2 credit courses or workshops. This was highly successful as we could rope in some of the best minds as VRPP and also in ensure very good response from students and general public as participants.
A high level committee (Standing committee of Executive Council) was set up to advice the university on implementing this programme. They were responsible to select the VRPs and invite them to interact. A special cell for VRPP was created with a senior faculty member appointed as coordinator of the programme who will schedule and handle logistics of the various activities and visits. A faculty coordinator for each professor appointed under the chair was appointed to deal with each VRP. Initially there were scheduling clashes and issues related to logistics, publicity, documentation etc but with the setting of VRPP cell with a overall coordinator and associated staff to assist him, scheduling and logistics issues were handled effectively. From the start, all the programmes were kept open and free for general public apart from students. A dedicated website with online registration facility was introduced right from the first activity and has been used extensively. Most of the sessions have been recorded using our in-house video recording facility. We need dedicated seminar halls which are now being set up.
6. Notes:
The scheme has now been extended to other institutes in Goa. A chair in the name of famous Goan origin architect Charles Correa has been created at Govt. Architecture College, Panaji. A chair in the field of Innovation is being proposed to Goa State Innovation council and noted industrialist Shri Srinivas Dempo has volunteered to institute a chair in the field of Business by Dempo Group.
Link for additional information: https://www.unigoa.ac.in/academics/a/continuing-education-programmes/directorate-of-visiting-research-professors-programme-dvrpp.html
1. Objectives:
1.1 Objectives and outcomes:
1.2 Underlying principles:
2. The Context/ challenging issues:
3. The Practice:
3.1 Unique nature:
The Directory of Open Access Repositories reports 106 repositories from India (https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/view/repository_by_country/India.html). Grouping these by institution type revealed that only 14 State funded Universities have established repositories of their contributions. Of these, only 3 of them host published articles (Bangalore University, Goa University and University of Mysore) and sharing knowledge (rest only theses and question papers or such sundry material). There are about 462 state Universities in India (https://www.ugc.gov.in/centraluniversity.aspx?type=2). Therefore Goa University is one among 0.0064% of the universities that follow this Best Practice.
A quick browse by the year on the repositories of Bangalore and Mysore University reveals that they have uploaded 4 and 21 items (as on 19 Oct 2018) for the year 2018 as against 214 items by Goa University repository. Uploading of the published literature on day-to-day basis is something unique to the Goa University.
3.2 Limitations:
The metadata was compiled in the year 2014 and the repository was launched in 2015. The exercise needed validation and compilation of metadata of publications since foundation of the University (1985) and capturing the full-text of published literature. Today, the repository describes about 7000 items (metadata) in which nearly 1100 are PhD theses (full-text) of the students. The university is unable to capture the full-text for nearly 20% of the articles of yesteryears published by the then faculty (and now not on roll) and link to the metadata.
4. Evidence of Success:
Visibility to the work done by the researchers at the University was one of the objectives at the time of launching repository. Increase in the visibility yields increase in the number of citations to the works. A Web of Science (WoS) analysis indicates that the number of citations to the publications of the University in the year 2014 (pre-launch of repository) were 1323. This number soared up to 42845 citations in 2024 (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Number of citations to GU publications (Source: WoS on 07 Jan 2025)
Analysis and consolidation of management information is another objective of this exercise. While this is being done on a routine basis, the University authorities felt a need to offer incentives to those who publish in the journals covered by Scopus and Web of Knowledge. This is to increase the canvas of publishing in journals of repute. This practice was implemented since 1 April 2018. This offer seems to be attracting researchers to publish in prestigious journals.
5. Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
A dedicated professional manpower to handle this best practice (keeping up-to-date) is essential. Currently this is being done by the contract staff.
6. Notes:
It is most unfortunate that the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) do not give importance in compilation of databases of their own. The ranking and accrediting agencies do not value such an important task. This reflects on the insignificant number of HEIs having repositories in India. For decision making and visibility, Indian HEIs must develop rich databases, maintain and populate on real time basis.
Link for additional information: http://irgu.unigoa.ac.in/
