Abstract

Strategic AI Integration in Research Management at MAHE: Enhancing Innovation, Sustainability, Accountability, and Growth
Royal Monteiro1, Co-ordinator- Grant’s Office, Directorate of Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Dr. Varadharajan S2, Assistant Professor- Senior Scale, Department of Civil Engineering and Co-ordinator-Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office, Directorate of Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into research management at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has significantly transformed operational efficiencies and decision-making processes across university functions. Leveraging AI, MAHE has enhanced various aspects of research management, notably in automating the extramural funding lifecycle which traditionally relied on manual intervention or external paid services. Through AI applications, the institution has streamlined the identification of funding opportunities that match specific research interests, facilitated the generation and scrutiny of budgets, organized extensive research databases, and offered analytical insights that drive sustainable growth.

Additionally, AI has been instrumental in navigating new web portals and managing legal document reviews, which are critical to maintaining the flow of research activities. To support these advancements, MAHE has developed two innovative models: the Collaborative Network Model, which manages the extramural funding process, and the Strategic Target Model, which aligns funding opportunities with researchers' specific interests.

Despite these benefits, the deployment of AI in research management is not without challenges. Issues such as maintaining data integrity, mitigating bias in AI-driven decisions, and ensuring ethical transparency remain at the forefront. To address these, MAHE is committed to developing AI tools that are not only efficient but also uphold the highest standards of ethical transparency and accountability.

This abstract details MAHE's approach to integrating AI into its research management framework, emphasizing the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility, ensuring that the deployment of technology contributes positively to the universities research ecosystem.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI in Higher Education, Sustainable Growth, Data Integrity