PU mulls reform in selection process of PhDs

After qualifying for the test,candidates are selected on the basis of academic scores in their post-graduation (PG). It is after this that they are called for an interview.

While evaluation on the basis of academic scores has been inviting criticism from all quarters,some professors have also argued that the interview,as mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC),has been reduced to a mere formality rather than being an evaluation process.

“PU does not give any weightage to interviews while preparing merit. The entire evaluation is based on the academic scores of post graduation. Therefore candidates,who do not even utter a word during the interview get selected because they somehow manage to get good marks in the previous course,” pointed out Professor Shelley Walia.

Highlighting that PhD is not all about academic knowledge and that communication skills were of paramount importance in teaching,Professor Walia said PhDs were a means of training future teachers,while the onus was on the university to maintain a good standard for research.

Though the issue has perturbed teachers and students alike,it is the PhD applicants who bore the brunt. “Each year,students who manage to score well in their Masters,irrespective of the university they pursue it from,get admission. Meanwhile,students who actually have an aptitude for research are left behind. I fail to understand as to why academic scores are significant while applying for PhDs in professional courses like MBA,” complained a PhD applicant.

After deliberating on the issue in various Syndicate meetings,a committee was constituted. It is likely to submit its report in the next Syndicate meeting.

Acknowledging the rising concern among the candidates and teachers regarding the ‘faulty’ selection procedure,Professor Rajesh Gill,a committee member said, “Academic merit cannot be the sole criteria of selection for PhDs. We have proposed that weightage be given to interviews.”