Improving the Research Output of Academics at the Royal University of Bhutan: An Action Research Reconnaissance and Early Initiatives

The only University in Bhutan and just over six years old (2009), the Royal University of Bhutan was faced with the challenge of changing the mindset and working practices of the academics of its ten federated colleges. Prior to becoming part of the University, the role of academics had been to teach yet the University's Charter identified research as one of its key functions and this called for some action. The first author, as a senior member of staff whose responsibility was to enhance research activity, undertook several initiatives framed as part of an institution-wide action research cycle. The research reported here is an interim report of that study. These data showed a lack of research capacity and lack of infrastructure to support research. Five initiatives, including the development of three research centres are described, each intended to create improvement in research productivity in the institutes/colleges.