RESEARCH COMMITTEE:
The Research Committee promotes a strong research culture within the institution by encouraging faculty and students to undertake innovative and interdisciplinary research activities. It supports the development of research proposals, publications, seminars, and workshops. The committee facilitates access to research resources, funding opportunities, and collaborations with external institutions. It ensures ethical research practices and contributes to academic excellence and knowledge creation.
The Research Committee has transformed under NEP 2020 from a passive publication-tracking body into an active Research & Development Cell (RDC), structured per UGC guidelines with a five-pillar sub-committee framework. It operates under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016 for Mumbai University-affiliated colleges, with expanded responsibilities spanning UG research, IPR/incubation, Ph.D. center oversight, and faculty promotion verification.
Rules & Regulations
1) RDC restructuring with apex hierarchy — The committee must transition into an RDC led by a Research Advisory Council (RAC) chaired by the Principal, with a Director of RDC and five functional sub-committees: Finance & Infrastructure, Research Program & Policy, Collaboration & Community, Product Development & Commercialization, and IPR/Legal/Ethical Matters.
2) Mandatory UG research governance — Under FYUGP, the committee must govern, evaluate, and facilitate the mandatory 4th-year Research Project/Dissertation, extending research responsibility beyond PG/Ph.D. scholars.
3) Seed money policy — The committee must formulate a standard policy offering institutional financial grants (“Seed Money”) to younger faculty to kickstart minor research projects.
4) Mandatory plagiarism/ethics compliance — Every script, thesis, or paper must pass institutional plagiarism checks under the UGC (Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in HEIs) Regulations.
5) Research Information Management System (RIMS) — The committee must maintain a digital dashboard tracking all publications, patents, ongoing grants, and research guides within the college.
6) Ph.D. Research Center compliance — For colleges with a recognized Ph.D. Research Center, the committee must ensure no Research Guide exceeds the official scholar quota (per UGC Minimum Standards Regulations) and screen PET/NET/SET/JRF documentation before interview panels.
7) Mandatory Avishkar participation — Mumbai University mandates participation in the Avishkar Research Convention (Chancellor’s Inter-University Research Festival); the committee must host orientations, screen UG/PG/PPG ideas, and mentor teams for Zonal/University levels.
8) CAS promotion verification gate — The committee acts as the primary screening authority for faculty promotions under CAS, verifying that publications are listed in the UGC-CARE list, Scopus, or Web of Science before Principal sign-off.