Different kinds of rigorous and concentrated efforts in educational institutes may engage the students and the teachers in different research activities which require proper guidance.
I am sending you the article: Science management at the university: case study CUJAE.
In this paper is presented how to establish a working system for the achievement of scientific results that characterize a university. These results must be evaluated by international standards, but also they have to be relevant for the impact that they have on the country where the university.
I hope it is useful to you
Article Gestión de la ciencia en la universidad: caso de estudio CUJAE
Group 'research' projects work very well, especially if it's more than library based and they can use existing databases, collections or obtain new data. I also match my senior undergrad students with graduate students doing research projects - very successful. The grad students get assistance and the undergrads get experience. Win-win.