Establishment of Research Wing
The establishment of a Research Wing (RW) at the Academy was conceived at the very outset. As the major repair work started in March, 2012, in early May the same year, the Dean of Faculty prepared the following concept paper for the establishment the RW.
(Concept Paper)
Research is a key to development. It involves a process of scientific inquiry that, in turn, leads to novelty. In a successful market economy, research and development are inextricably intertwined. Research engenders new thinking and provides a basis for effective policy making. For an academic institution like ours, the importance of research hardly needs any emphasis. The research of an academy should significantly influence public policy-making and thereby break new grounds for social and economic development. However, the motto should be high quality of research, notably, of global recognition. This requires conceptual clarity, clear objectives, well manned human resources and open-handed financial resources.
Research is one of the core programme themes of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (Academy). This wing seeks to serve many purposes. Firstly, it will provide a platform and state-of-the-art environment for knowledge exchange through collaborative and inter-disciplinary research, engagement with reputed national and international groups, institutes, societies, investigators, and professionals in diverse perspectives to help establish the rule of law at the national level. Secondly, it will promote judicial education through research, traditional wisdom, and latest legal knowledge. Thirdly, it will help create high quality human resources to achieve competitive advantages for national interests and to achieve the constitutional goal of inexpensive and expeditious justice.
This wing is the repository of the core research done by the Academy’s faculty, scholars and trainees. The research papers written are documented, archived and made available to other researchers and relevant quarters. The Academy’s faculty and trainees can access the research papers and studies via the Academy’s intranet.
The interaction of researchers, the rule of law practitioners, particularly of judges is necessary for new ideas to be developed and implemented. The wing undertakes projects and assignments specific to a particular geographical area or the rule of law institutions.
The overall goals of the wings:
- To provide a global platform for multidisciplinary research and advocacy,
- To promote research-led judicial education,
- To ensure human resource development for the rule of law, and
- To encourage a research culture
Thematic Areas:
- Historical: on the region in the context of the rule of law
- Academic: research papers, books, articles, thesis
- Action: contemporary issues and dynamism of situation
- Historical: on the region in context of rule of law
- Conduct historical research on regular basis;
- At least, 02 research studies will be conducted each year;
- The wing will be responsible to complete these researches in coordination with the academic wing;
- Every trainee of long trainings at all levels will conduct such research thesis of certain credit hours;
- A Committee shall be responsible for approval of the thesis;
- A Committee will select the two best historical studies to document to promote rule of law in the region.
- Academic: research papers, books, articles, thesis
- Compulsory research papers, articles produced by trainees;
- At least four research papers, articles published in renowned journals;
- At least two research papers, articles will be presented in national and international conferences;
- Action: contemporary issues and dynamism of situation
- Conduct two action researches on contemporary issues and to inform public policy;
- Conduct two action researches on policy level issues;
- Conduct two action researches to develop new concept and projects to attract donors.
On-going Research studies
As the Academy floated the idea of the RW, donors—the UNDP and the World Bank—expressed their willingness to support it. Currently, the Academy is conducting the following three studies with the support of the donors shown against each:
01 |
Gaps between formal and informal justice systems in Malakand |
UNDP |
02 |
Civil cases culminating to criminal cases—a baseline study in trends in crimes in Swat and Dir Upper districts |
UNDP |
03 |
Efficacy of judicial system in Malakand |
World Bank |
The studies are expected to conclude by the end of this year.
Future Research studies
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- Late this year, the RW plans to conduct the following qualitative research study:
- An Analysis of Pakistan’s Judicial Reform Commissions: Prospects for Future
- The RW will conduct syndicate research as part of its basic orientation training of Civil Judges and Additional District & Sessions Judges