The aim of the scientific research and innovation unit is to cultivate visibility and an open science environment within research activities. This includes fostering innovation, ensuring sustained research funds, and promoting economic growth through consultancy services. Additionally, the unit emphasizes the importance of a continuous learning environment, which serves as a vital tool for professional development. These efforts align with the goals outlined in OV 2040 and BUC strategic plan, particularly the creation of an integrated and competitive economy. The unit focuses on nine research pillars to achieve these objectives.
- Interdisciplinary Research Visibility.
- Scientific Ethics and Integrity
- Open Scientific Environment and Innovation.
- Teaching Enriched by Scientific Research.
- Research Consultancy and Commercialization.
- Research Funding.
- Professional Development.
- Financial and Human Support Structure.
- Guiding and Assessing Criteria.
1 – Interdisciplinary Research Visibility
The SR&I unit encourages research outcomes that are impactful, accessible and widely communicated by implementing the following:
- Promote multidisciplinary research within broader strategic themes addressing key global challenges.
- Support the engagement of various research activities including conference participation and high standard publications.
- Develop robust communication channels with a variety of different platforms to share widely the outcomes of our research activities.
- Encourage the scientific researchers to disseminate their research findings as widely as possible
- Support joint research publication between academic staff and students.
- Support students’ involvement in research activities such as conference participation, research publication and innovative contribution.
- Increase citations by raising the profile and accessibility to research outcomes
- reward excellence and achievement in research.
2 – Scientific Ethics and Integrity
The SR&I unit seeks to support open research and research integrity to achieve the following goals:
- Build a culture of open research, encouraging researchers and research students to be as productive as they can in their research activities.
- Sustain a culture of research integrity in line with the Al-Buraimi University College vision and mission to support research integrity.
- Improve accessibility and transparency of our research data through comprehensive annual reports and open research practices.
- Foster a culture of research ethics and integrity by conducting regular seminars at both the department and the college levels.
3 – Open Scientific Environment and Innovation
The SR&I unit encourages open research environment through the following:
- Support and reward academic staff and students to conduct innovative research and to develop new products and services.
- Support researchers whether academic staff or students at every stage of their development with time and resource to create innovative environment.
- Develop outreach activities aimed at enhancing the research and innovation culture nationwide.
- Enhance innovative ideas through BUC business incubation support.
- Set an incubation program that ranges from 6 months to two years for innovative projects.
- Support investors to create more start-up and grow-on facilities for businesses.
- Encourage entrepreneurship through activities targeted at undergraduate and postgraduate students, academic staff, and local entrepreneurs, to boost the creation of start-ups.
4 – Teaching Enriched by Scientific Research
The SR&I unit provides students with the necessary skills to actively participate in the acquisition, development and production of knowledge through the following:
- Ensure an experience of exposure to, and engagement with research for all students.
- Enable students to critically question scientific findings through assignments related to research outcomes.
- Encourage and develop cutting edge curricula informed and shaped by research outcomes.
- Facilitate the outcomes of research being readily shared in a classroom environment.
5 – Research Consultancy and Commercialization
The SR&I unit plans to undertake the following initiatives to advance its objectives:
- Develop consultancy services tailored to meet the needs of diverse research projects and industries.
- Provide comprehensive support to researchers in navigating the commercialization process, maintaining intellectual property and copyrights.
- Offer training and resources to researchers interested in commercializing their innovations.
- Engage with stakeholders to identify market trends and opportunities for research-driven solutions.
6 – Research Funding
SR&I unit develops sustainable plan that addresses both internal and external funds to enhance the global research profile through the following:
- Build on and strengthen national and international partnerships to address key societal and industrial challenges.
- Increase funding from both internal and external sources as part of the college’s future plans.
- Increase funded research collaboration with strategic commercial partners world-wide.
7 – Professional Development
The SR&I unit aims to arrange seminars, forums, and workshops at both departmental and college levels, with the following objectives:
- Foster a culture of continuous learning among academic staff.
- Facilitate connections with recent advancements in multidisciplinary fields for exchanging insights and seizing opportunities.
- Set clear objectives for professional development seminars and workshops.
- Encourage the sharing of knowledge and experiences to support the growth of colleagues and peers.
- Promote prioritization of well-being to sustain productivity and ensure long-term professional success.
8 – Financial and Human Support Structure
The SR&I unit has specific financial and human dedicated structures along with the necessary resources in place to support the implementation of BUC research and innovation strategy and the attainment of associated targets. The Scientific Research and Innovation Committee, comprised of the Director, representatives from academic departments, and innovation coordinators, is responsible for guiding consultancy services, incubation activities, assessment of research grants, and professional development initiatives.
9 – Guiding and Assessing Indicators
The SR&I unit employs a set of indicators designed to assess the research achievements of individuals or groups, offering a systematic method to gauge their contributions and influence. Each indicator focuses on significant research accomplishments, covering a range of factors such as:
- Attendance at conferences and type of participation (national or international).
- Publications and their respective rankings.
- Citations received at both institutional (BUC) and individual levels.
- Grants obtained, encompassing internal and external sources.
- Participation in research activities such as seminars, workshops, and symposiums.
- Success rate in project competitions.
- Classification and quantity of innovative and entrepreneurial projects (e.g., AI, sustainability).
- Collaboration on projects with students and the scientific field involved.
- Number and nature of professional training courses, whether internal or external.
These indicators form a comprehensive framework for guiding and assessing research excellence at BUC.