UNIVERSITY NEWS, 56(49) DECEMBER 03-09, 2018 13 *Dean (Academics), Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Gachibowli, Hyderabad-500032(Telangana) **Pro-Vice Chancellor, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU)Gachibowli, Hyderabad-500032 (Telangana) ***Joint Secretary, University Grants Commission, B S Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110 002 Traditionally, universities are known as centers of academic excellence and research. It is also branded as central hub of innovation ecosystem and engine of business enterprise in the fields of critical national and unmet human needs. The crucial basic and very fundamental research ought to happen in the university departments since the same does not take place in industry. This in turn, translates it into applied research and innovation in collaborations with enterprise to reap the socio-economic benefits. The research in a university can be distinguished from three specific platforms such as academic research to search for truth, applied research to invent utilitarian and professional research to find a solution. These platforms are instrumental for quest for knowledge and understanding experiences of daily life in the fields of science, technology, society and environment to improve the quality of life. The research in the Indian Universities is individual centric and is poorly funded which lacks continuity in achieving progress. There is an imminent need to define clearly the role of universities in the context of national and international expectations in the domain of knowledge generation to reshape the research landscape. Research in universities has at times been under criticism for not being innovative, original and of high quality. While the essential mandate of the universities is to train and produce high quality personnel, who can enter into the challenging assignments of the dynamic society and can meet with most varied challenges of environment and employment. The fact remains that good teaching evolves out of good research from the teachers and students, who successfully contribute to the development of human, economic and social capital for the country. International collaboration in research is a fundamental issue for providing transformative solutions to the challenges of the 21 st Century, where bright minds come together to inspire each other to share the complimentary expertise and unique talent. The process of collaborations is catalysed by researchers and formalized by universities to lead the mobility of cognitive diversity that promotes interdisciplinary research. The research, particularly in science and technology and the intensive critical studies in social, cultural, economic and political processes and situations for which human touch is crucial for national progress, self-reliance and security. In respect to research in science and technology, there is a world- wide conviction, that intellectual capital will play a far more important role in the future in maintaining industrial competitiveness and research in social sciences to promote the value of human life and utilize the advances in science and technology for improving the quality of life of impoverished millions. The universities have to encourage research in all fields of science, engineering, technology, social sciences, humanities and arts for innovations, inventions, interactions for industrial growth and social progress in the region. Research creates new knowledge, insight and imparts excitement and dynamism to the growth of educational process in discovering new relationships of facts. However, the development is not a thing to be awaited for and is a thing to be achieved. It is being treated as an investment and part of contribution of individuals and collective team efforts. Research is an essential component of higher education and a special emphasis has been laid on National Policy on Education, where research, innovation and enterprise are the indicators for advancement and prosperity of any nation. Research is an important field, recognized world over due to its unlimited potential to serve and benefit humanity and it is being treated as a national investment. However, the choice or selection of research area depends on various factors such as novelty, interest, relevance, feasibility, researchable and ethical issues for strategic progress. Use only the original, brilliant and relevant ideas that create enormous benefit to economic and social well-being, while promoting academic and research excellence. This will enable to create customized platforms to Research, Innovation and Enterprise: Key Factors to Brand Universities A Ravindernath,* Shakeel Ahmad** and Archana Thakur***