Transcript PSU, Pattani Campus

How to do useful research in
PSU, Pattani Campus?
Prof. Jens Chr. Tjell
Technical University of Denmark
Environment & Resources DTU. www.dtu.dk
pt. Visiting professor at PSU, Pattani Campus
(1/6-15/7 2547)
The Technical University of
Denmark
• Founded in 1829 by the
Danish physicist Hans
Christian Ørsted
• The largest technical
university in Northern Europe
• 6000 students
• 600 Ph.D. students
• 400 Faculty
• 1250 researchers
• 15 departments
Jens Chr. Tjell:
Analytical chemist, environmental science
Worked for the UN for 6 years on use of isotopes
in agricultural science in developing countries
Engaged in the four country programme on Linked
University Consortia for Environment and
Development
(Denmark, Thailand, Malaysia, Southern Africa)
Here at Pattani Campus to help in establishing a
Masters programme in “Applied Chemistry”
The ambitious title:
How to do useful research in
PSU, Pattani Campus?*
Leads to at least five questions:
Q: Which features characterises the Pattani
Campus?
Q: What is useful research?
Q: Which are the research expectations to PSU?
Q: Which changes are possible?
Q: Are changes needed at PSU, Pattani?
*These questions apply to Faculty of Science and Technology
PSU, Pattani Campus
The physical conditions
• Relatively recently established (2510), Faculty of
Science and Technology established 2525, (22
years old)
• F.S.T. Around 1100 students, predominantly B.Sc.
students (95 %), and a few M.Sc. Students (5 %)
• A student to teacher ratio of approx. 14
(10 if all teachers were back at PSU)
• Good buildings with adequate space
• Generally modern equipment of good quality
• A tight budget on running costs for equipment and
laboratories
PSU, Pattani Campus
Staff work conditions
• A high proportion of staff time spent on
teaching, individually 40-90 %
• Above normal time spent on administrative
tasks, meetings, domestic travels etc.
• Few hours left for research
Comparison PSU-Pattani and DTU
PATTANI
DTU
Students
(Science/Technology)
1100
95 %
B.Sc.
6000
60 %
B.Sc.
Student/Teacher ratio
14 (10)
15
Subjects/Semester
6-7
2-3
Staff teaching time
load
40-90 %
25-35 %
Intl. Publication rate
Approx.
0 - 0.3/y
Approx.
1/y
PSU, Pattani Campus
Can staff time be better used?
Suggestions on staff work conditions
Teaching:
• Teaching in larger and more comprehensive
subjects, e.g. 2-3 subjects pr. semester?
– Better cross-disciplinary insight for the students
– Less examination strains on students and teachers
• 2-3 teachers engaged in each subject?
– Better planning of teaching time, less down-time
• Less lecturing, focusing on basic principles, and
more self-studies in student groups?
– Better understanding, and more self reliance, for the students
– Probably requires textbooks (Thai or English?), or copies
PSU, Pattani Campus
Can staff time be better used?
Suggestions on staff work conditions
Administration:
• Employ a departmental administrator?
– The tedious jobs are taken off the department staff
– The quality of administration is better
– The individual teachers do not need to know
everything
• May have been implemented?
What is useful research?
A few suggestions:
• Of interest to Thailand, also of regional
interest
• Likely to be used or utilised
• Citations by other researchers
• Easiest to obtain funds for
• Likely to succeed with the given conditions
on manpower, funds and equipment
Useful research? Examples
Conservation of resources:
• Reutilisation of nutrients in animal manure and
towns waste
• How to reduce over-fishing
• Reducing the flow of matter from land to water
Pollution studies to assess risks to humans and the
environment:
• Arsenic in the environment
Production related questions:
• Rubber and palm oil technology
• Rubber and palm oil waste utilisation
And many other projects!!!
These are only examples
PSU, Pattani Campus
Expectations on research
performance
• Formal: Publication rate high
• Informal: Research topics to support
Thailand
• Informal: Internationalisation
PSU, Pattani Campus
Present research characteristics
• Relatively few international research publications
(ISI recognised) pr faculty staff.
• Large publication differences between individual
staff*
• Large differences in output between divisions*
• Research topics chosen are often continuation from
the study time abroad
• Researchers relatively independent, not often
engaged in group conducted research, internally,
nationally, or internationally
* National publications in Thai not considered here
PSU, Pattani Campus
Present research characteristics
The majority of Ph.D. students (junior staff)
are sent for studies abroad for 3-4 years,
depriving the Pattani Campus of a major
research capacity.
Relevance of research topic for the Ph.D.
study crucial for the future career
How to Get Research Funding in Thailand
Dr. Prasak Thavornyutikarn
Chairman, Environmental Science Program
Chiang Mai University
Possibilities:
The Thailand Research Fund (TRF), สกว.
Royal Golden Jubilee Scholarship (RGJ)
Postdoctoral Fellowship
The National Research Council of Thailand (NRC)
Big Projects with end users
Plus several other
International LUCED workshop, Surat Thani, 15-16 July 2004
Research funding in Thailand
Conclusion:
• Generally: Enough funds available.
However, too few good project
applications
• Wishes: Research relevant to Thailand
• Wishes: Join efforts for better results
Can research conditions be improved
at Pattani Campus?
Conclusion
• Physical features: mostly OK.
• Teaching load on staff can be reduced, thus more time
for research
• Student projects: Integration of the students into the
research topic. Especially relevant for studies of regional
importance.
• Allowing Ph.D. students to study abroad for 12-15
months only
• Joining into research groups, with prospects for better
funding (funds seem available)
• Budget for running costs of laboratories and equipment
is rather small. External funding may help.
Future research at PSU, Pattani
Campus?
Are changes needed?
How to proceed?
Your choice!!!