PhD college students lose years as analysis matters await approval
MUMBAI: For almost 4 years, 100 doctoral college students on the College of Mumbai (MU) have been in tutorial limbo, ready for his or her analysis matters to be accepted. Worse, there appears little likelihood of that taking place any time quickly because the Analysis Recognition Committee (RRC), which supplies the all-important go-ahead, is but to be arrange.
These college students are drawn from seven departments, most of them within the humanities college, together with communication and journalism, music and particular training. College sources mentioned the RRC for these departments has not been constituted though a brand new vice-chancellor was appointed in 2023.
The RRC performs a key position in a PhD scholar’s journey. It approves their analysis matters, guides and proposals, displays progress, and ensures the standard of the ultimate theses. With out RRC approval, college students can not proceed with their analysis course of.
One scholar from the division of communication and journalism, mentioned she handed the PhD pre-examination in April 2021. She accomplished pre-PhD admission formalities in July and signed up for a web based preparatory course in October 2021.By December 4, she had offered her subject earlier than the RRC and had been assigned a information.
Nevertheless, her information withdrew. To get a brand new information, she wanted one other RRC assembly however it by no means came about. “Due to this, I’ve misplaced 4 years. A few of my batchmates, who moved to different universities, are actually within the last yr of their PhD,” she mentioned.
One other scholar from one of many seven affected departments mentioned he cleared the PhD Entrance Take a look at (PET) in 2023 however has been ready for the RRC to be arrange since then. “My pals in different universities have already began their core analysis,” he mentioned.
The delays aren’t solely hurting new PhD college students but in addition those that have accomplished their analysis. A college professor mentioned the RRC offers last approval to theses of scholars who’ve accomplished 5 years of analysis. After RRC clearance, the theses are despatched to referees for additional assessment. “This complete course of is caught,” the professor mentioned.
Balaji Kendre, chairperson of the College of Mumbai Tutorial Employees Affiliation (UMASA), mentioned, “We raised the problem of RRCs in a latest assembly with the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor and registrar. In accordance with information, the final RRC was held in December final yr. Some departments don’t even have appointed RRCs. The officers assured us that RRCs will likely be organized quickly.”
Professor Ajay Bhamare, pro-vice chancellor of the college and chairperson of all RRCs, mentioned, “We are actually streamlining the RRC schedule, which will likely be shared with the respective departments on Thursday. We’ve already carried out the RRC for one division, and one other is scheduled within the coming weeks. In whole, we’re organising RRCs for 76 topics between August 21 and September 2, which can assist college students get readability on their analysis initiatives.”
Whereas college students welcome the step ahead, they need solutions for the years already misplaced. “We will likely be joyful if the college conducts the RRC, however how they’ll compensate for the time we misplaced,” a doctoral scholar mentioned.
