Biswanath College has established its Research & Development Cell (RDC) in pursuance of the UGC Guidelines for Establishment of Research & Development Cell in Higher Education Institutions (2022), issued in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and in compliance with the UGC letter dated 29 October 2026.
The Research & Development Cell has been established with immediate effect and shall be governed by a Research Advisory Council (RAC), as notified through the College Office Order No. BC/RDC/2026/07, dated 31 October 2026.
About the Research & Development Cell
The Research & Development Cell is an institutional mechanism for developing, strengthening and coordinating research activities at Biswanath College. It aims to create an enabling environment for faculty members and students to engage in meaningful research, innovation and interdisciplinary academic activities.
The Cell will facilitate research guidance, funding opportunities, ethical research practices, intellectual property awareness, academic collaboration and systematic monitoring of research activities.
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
To put in place a robust mechanism for developing and strengthening the research ecosystem within higher education institutions, aligned with the provisions of NEP 2020.
Our Mission
To create a conducive environment for enhanced research productivity, encourage collaboration across industry, government, community-based organizations and agencies, and facilitate greater access to research through mobilization of resources and funding.
Objectives of the RDC
- Establish an organizational structure with defined roles and responsibilities and formulate the institutional Research Policy.
- Identify research thrust areas and promote research groups, clusters and collaborative teams.
- Facilitate research proposals, funding applications and coordination with research funding agencies.
- Promote collaboration with industries, universities, research organizations and other stakeholders.
- Encourage research integrity, plagiarism awareness, ethical research and responsible publication practices.
- Develop an Institutional Research Information System for publications, projects, patents and collaborations.
- Organize workshops, training programmes and research methodology activities.
- Monitor research activities and promote the dissemination of research outcomes.
Research Advisory Council (RAC)
The Research Advisory Council is the governing body of the Research & Development Cell of Biswanath College. It provides guidance and oversight for the planning, promotion and development of institutional research.
| Sl. No. | Name | Designation | Position in RAC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Chinta Mani Sharma | Principal | Chairperson |
| 2 | Dr. Karabi Gogoi | Associate Professor, Economics | Coordinator |
| 3 | Dr. Naresh Thakur | Associate Professor, English; Coordinator, IQAC | Member |
| 4 | Dr. Lalit Baruah | Assistant Professor, Physics | Member |
| 5 | Dr. Nilofer Sheikh | Assistant Professor, Botany | Assistant Coordinator |
| 6 | Dr. Sunayana Goswami | Assistant Professor, Zoology | Assistant Coordinator |
| 7 | Dr. Dipankar Saikia | Associate Professor, English | Member (Humanities) |
| 8 | Dr. Debajit Boruah | Associate Professor, Philosophy | Member (Social Sciences) |
| 9 | Dr. Pulak Sabhapandit | Associate Professor, Mathematics | Member |
| 10 | Professor Pradeep Phukan | Professor, Gauhati University; External Academic Expert | Member |
| 11 | Dr. Kishore Hazarika | External Member; Entrepreneur | Member |
| 12 | Mr. Tilak Kumar Deka | Senior Assistant | Member (Accounts) |
Committees under the RDC
The following functional committees have been constituted under the Research & Development Cell to coordinate specific areas of research and institutional development.
1. Research Promotion & Funding Committee
Functions:
Disseminate research calls and assist in preparing
project proposals for UGC, DST, DBT, ICSSR, ASTEC
and PM-USHA.
- Dr. Lalit Baruah
- Dr. Rupa Pegu
- Dr. Indira Sharma
2. Research Ethics & Integrity Committee
Functions:
Ethics clearance, plagiarism checks through
DrillBit / Shodh Shuddhi and UGC-CARE awareness.
- Dr. Dipankar Saikia
- Dr. Nabanita Sarmah
- Dr. Namita Devi
3. IPR, Innovation & Start-up Committee
Functions:
Intellectual Property Rights awareness and
facilitation of linkages with IIC and incubators.
- Dr. Debashis Sarmah
- Dr. Rahul Sarma
- Mrs. Deepjyoti Nath
4. Research Information & Monitoring Committee
Functions:
Maintain the Research Information Management
System (RIMS) and prepare the annual research report.
- Dr. Pratikshya Bezbaruah
- Dr. Mita Hazarika
Functions of the Research & Development Cell
- Research Policy: Frame and periodically revise the Research Policy of the College, covering seed money, research ethics, plagiarism, consultancy, IPR and incentives.
- Promotion of Research: Promote research among teachers and FYUGP 4th-year students (Honours with Research); coordinate dissertations, internships and research methodology training.
- Research Infrastructure: Build and share central research facilities, including the proposed Central Research Laboratory under PM-USHA, and allow access to students and teachers of nearby institutions.
- Academic Collaboration: Facilitate collaborations and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with universities, research institutes and industry.
- Research Information Management: Maintain a Research Information Management System (RIMS) covering publications, projects, patents, collaborations, Ph.D. scholars and supervisors.
- Departmental Research Development: Seek recognition of departments as research centres of the affiliating University wherever eligible.
- Annual Research Reporting: Publish an annual research report and place it on the College website.
UGC Framework for Research & Development
The UGC Guidelines (March 2022) identify key elements for developing a strong research ecosystem in higher education institutions. These include:
1. Research Governance
Effective governance, functional autonomy, transparency, accountability and institutional research policies.
2. Administration
Coordinated organizational structures, committees, planning, implementation and monitoring of research activities.
3. Research Collaboration
Networking and collaboration with universities, industries, government bodies, research organizations and communities.
4. Information Management
Research Information Management System (RIMS) for publications, projects, patents, collaborations and research resources.
5. Human Resources
Involvement of faculty members, researchers, scholars, students and research mentors.
6. Research Promotion & Guidance
Research proposals, funding guidance, research methodology training, workshops and research internships.
7. Integrity & Ethics
Ethical research practices, plagiarism awareness and responsible research and publication.
8. Capacity Building
Workshops, training programmes, seminars, conferences and research-oriented skill development.
9. Research Monitoring
Monitoring research progress, reviewing outputs, maintaining quality benchmarks and promoting timely completion of projects.
Research & Development Cell | Established vide Office Order No. BC/RDC/2026/07 dated 31.10.2026