Students of Panjab University colleges can now get research work

The modalities for recognition of the research centre had already been framed by the special committee constituted by Vice-Chancellor Prof R C Sobti,headed by Senator and Faculty of Law Dean G K Chatrath and further approved by Dean University Instruction Prof B S Brar. According to the guidelines recommended by the committee,while all pre-PhD course work as well as main course work would be conducted at these research centres at the affiliated colleges,only examination and evaluation of the course work to be done at the university’s teaching departments concerned.

All applications for recognition of the research centre from the colleges will be received by the Dean College Development Council and forwarded for constitution of an inspection committee. The five-member inspection committee will include the dean of the faculty of the subject concerned,principal of an affiliated college,an expert in the subject and a nominee of the V-C.

“I suggested an addition to the recommendations pertaining to the constitution of members of the inspection committee when these were forwarded by the Vice-Chancellor for my comments. One expert should preferably be from the concerned department as the Dean of the Faculty of the subject may not be necessarily be related to the concerned subject,” said Prof Brar. This suggestion of the DUI has been approved by the V-C.

According to the the committee modalities,the recognition for the Research Centre would ensure that quality research work is undertaken in accordance with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. Recognition would be granted only after certain criteria are met including number of eligible teaching faulty members,required infrastructure like library and past academic record of the college.

Further,on the manipulations in the process of recognition to colleges which has been repeatedly questioned,the DUI commented that to check this practice,the final examination and evaluation of course work has been kept with the university. “As the final result would rest with the concerned department of the University,it would not only ensure quality research work but also that proper inspection rules are followed by the inspection committee,” added Prof Brar.

No cap on the maximum number of recognitions to be awarded for research centres has been fixed. However,the authorities believe that this number would not be too high,keeping in mind the minimum requirements to be met by the colleges for the recognition.