Page 9 - Annual Research Report AY 2019-20

K E Y A C T I V I T I E S

The academic year 2019-20 was a different year as the world was affected by global pandemic. The

normal work shifted to work-from-home that halted many on-site research activities while on the
other hand provided opportunity to revamp ourselves. DR worked tirelessly to provide maximum
support to its faculty and students by upgrading its research resources, refurbishing its research
policies considering the COVID-19 pandemic and instructions from the national Co mmittee for
combating CORONA and by providing more incentives to its researchers to publish quality papers in
Scopus and Web of Science. Thus, the key activities include: The key activities include

Strengthening environment for Research activities, Providing support for external and internal
grants, Updating and polishing the research policy as per recommendations of research committees
and University Council, Facilitating faculty and students during the submission of the national patent
submission, Organizing Annual Research Day, Renewing Turnitin subscription to facilitate the
implementation of University’s academic integrity policy, Renewing EJAAD Membership and
Providing support for evaluation of external/internal Questionnaire and necessary approvals.
Moreover, as specified in the operational and strategic plan of DU, the DR with the support of

Research committees, worked tirelessly to achieve following objectives to promote quality
Research across the University:

Strengthen Environment for Research Activities
Promoting the faculty members to publish their Research work in quality journals by providing

incentives that resulted in increased number of quality publications in Scopus and Web of
Science.
Incentives given to faculty members for their joint Research papers with DU students.
Focused on involving students actively in research.

Develop DU into a Hub for Research Activities that are Important to the Region
Increased number of institutional and private Research activities in Dhofar region channelized
through DU.

Promoting faculty members and students to submit research proposals for grant from TRC on
topics of regional importance that resulted in submission of 45 research proposals.
Organized Research day at a larger scale and invited extinguished guests from all stakeholders

Ensure Ethics and Bio-Safety in Research

Ensured the Implementation of the ethics policy while reviewing and evaluating external and internal
Research requests.
Establish Research Teaching Nexus

Developed plans to focus on ‘Research teaching nexus’ by promoting faculty members to
incorporate their Research into curricula.

Spreading culture of Plagiarism-free Research Environment

Along with the ADVC, Colleges and DQA, steps were taken to ensure that faculty members and
students ensure to use Turnitin to introduce a plagiarism-free research environment across DU.
Moreover, ithenticate license was purchased on trial basis.