1 Teaching/Learning and Research Nexus in Higher Education by Phuong Nga Nguyen Discussant:

Teaching and research are the two most important traditional functions of universities. It is widely recognised that teaching contributes to enrichment of research and research contributes to enhanced levels of teaching. Both are closely related, inter-dependent and mutually supportive. However, the nexus between the two is not necessarily strong in all cases and all times. In some cases, universities are becoming exclusive teaching institutions and exclusive research institutes are set up to meet the research needs of the society. This is also based on the belief that combing research and teaching may be disadvantageous to either teaching or research or both. Sometimes, though not generally, it is also felt that good researchers are not necessarily good teachers and vice versa. Largely based on an excellent review of the existing literature on the effects of combining teaching and research on the university environment, Professor Nguyen describes in the paper (a) the relationship between teaching and research, (b) the advantages of forging a strong nexus between teaching and research in higher education institution