11th Student Faculty Research Convention: A Scholarly Milestone

Samtse College of Education, celebrated a momentous occasion on October 27, 2023, as it hosted the 11th Student Faculty Research Convention. The august inauguration of the convention was presided over by Dr. Rinchen Dorji, the esteemed President of the College, who provided a thought-provoking discourse under the overarching theme, “Research as the Engine of Learning and Growth; Research as the Powerhouse of Knowledge and Innovation.”

President’s address illuminated the profound and transformative potential that research carries within the realm of academia. In an insightful address, he delineated twelve pivotal components imperative for the fruitful pursuit of research endeavors. The twelve key components of research highlighted by the keynote speaker were:

1. Identification of Research Topic: Dr. Rinchen emphasized the necessity of selecting a research focus that transcends mere topicality, positing that it must bear the potential to catalyze substantial and desirable changes, thereby fostering innovation and effective problem-solving.
2. Definition of the Research Problem: The President accentuated the pivotal role of a well-defined, unambiguous, and compelling research problem statement, heralded as the cornerstone upon which the entire research process takes shape.
3. Framing Research Aims and Objectives: Keynote speaker underscored the importance of research aims and objectives that are characterized by specificity, measurability, realism, practicality, and adherence to defined timelines. These facets are vital to the guidance of the research process.
4. Research Purpose and Significance: The articulation of research’s purpose and significance was hailed as a mechanism for establishing the criticality and urgency of the study.
5. Comprehensive Literature Review: Researchers were encouraged to embark on an extensive exploration of the existing body of knowledge that pertains to the research problem, enhancing subject matter content knowledge.
6. Precise Framing of Research Questions: The President emphasized the need for clear, specific, and focused research questions, sufficiently broad to address the pertinent challenges at hand.
7. Strategic Selection of Research Methodology: President highlighted the significance of aligning one’s chosen research methodology deliberately with their philosophical worldview and research paradigm.
8. Apt Selection of Data Collection Tools: Researchers were urged to meticulously select data collection tools that harmonize with their chosen research methodology and methods, ensuring the acquisition of reliable, valid, and utilitarian data.
9. Meticulous Data Interpretation and Analysis: The importance of discerning, analytical, coherent, and holistic data interpretation and analysis was underscored, serving as a testimony to intellectual engagement and scholarly rigor.
10. Generation of New Knowledge: This phase was characterized as an opportunity to create new knowledge and ideas, heralded by the presentation of intriguing or contentious findings, comparisons with prior research, or the presentation of unique outcomes.
11. Examination of Implications and Recommendations: The discussion of implications and recommendations, stemming from research findings, was lauded as critical for yielding tangible impacts.
12. Upholding Research Ethics: Dr. Dorji emphasized the indomitable importance of upholding unwavering and unyielding ethical standards, which constitute the moral compass of high-quality research.

The keynote speaker Dr. Rinchen Dorji ardently conveyed that research is an enabler, capable of enhancing knowledge, skills, and innovation, reinvigorating both academics and students alike. Employing the evocative analogy of an ill-equipped soldier wielding obsolete weaponry in a modern battlefield, he underscored the urgency for academicians to possess the requisite research knowledge and skills to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of 21st-century education and global academia.

The convention was characterized by a diverse array of research presentations, with active participation from school teachers, esteemed faculty members, and enthusiastic students. These presentations vividly underscored the dynamic and multifaceted nature of research within the academic community at Samtse College of Education, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to the advancement of knowledge and innovation. The sessions were very interactive with questions of curiosity.

In his reflections on the event, Mr. Karma Chophel, an in-service MEd student, commented on the enriching learning experiences provided by the seminar, asserting the necessity to create avenues for further exploration. Likewise, Mr. Sobit recognized the convention’s timeliness, offering participants an invaluable opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and collaborative learning. Dr. Sonam Rinchen, Dean of Research and Industrial Linkages highlighted that the convention was conducted to enhance research knowledge and skills to the students and faculty so that one do not become obsolete in the realm of academic world.

The 11th Student Faculty Research Convention at Samtse College of Education emerged as a shining beacon of academic excellence, delineating the indispensable role that research plays in fostering the growth and development of scholars and intellectuals. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to the participants, and the distinction of Dr. Sonam Dekar as the best speaker, thus solidifying the College’s commitment to rigorous academic inquiry and its transformative potential in the realms of education and global academia.