Kampala — About 90% of the teaching programmes at universities are classroom-oriented.

This leaves no room for research, scientists and researchers have said.

At a recent dialogue in Kampala, on strengthening the role of universities in national development, participants observed that some universities consider research too expensive while others believe it is not in line with the programmes they teach.

The executive director of the National Council for Higher Education, Prof. A.B Kasozi, said the more students are taught the less research and publications are produced and in faculties where the lecturer/student ratio is high, there is no source of new knowledge because lecturers have no time for research.

Where student numbers exceed staff and education facilities, little research goes on, he added.

Kasozi revealed that Government funding for research had declined over the years. Funding for Makerere University reduced from sh300m in 1994/1995 to sh134m in 1999/2000.

The state minister for higher education, Gabriel Opio, said there was need to change the teaching methods at universities, especially for students of practical subjects like agriculture, mdicine and botany."You do more of field work rather than classroom work, " he said.

The Government, researchers and extension staff should invest more in research and expand the knowledge base, Opio said, adding that the Government planned to promote cooperation between public universities and the private sector in research and development.