With a view to identifying gaps in its PhD programmes,the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay is in the process of conducting a review of programmes offered by the top 15 universities globally. It will then adopt the best practices and new ideas wherever possible. For example,a communication skills course taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) grades students on their persuasive strategy,delivery and handling of questions before a hostile audience. Such rigorous communication courses have been identified as one the requirements for PhD students at IIT-B. An institute-level committee has been formed which will recommend the skill sets required to be gained through the PhD programmes to match global standards,from communication to technical writing to thesis writing. Only a few foreign PhD students study at IIT-B. The institute wants to increase the number of foreign students pursuing PhD as well as advertise the programmes across campuses abroad. Before that,we want to overhaul the way PhD students are trained, said VSK Murthy Balijepalli,general secretary,academic affairs,PG programmes,IIT-B. Though students have good ideas,some arent able to continue as they lack required technical and writing skills to approach research problems, he added. The best practices at top universities are being looked at to see what can be adopted. For instance,while Illinois State University and Purdue University conduct an honours course on technical skills and ethics for thesis writing,Harvard Kennedy School trains students via public speaking,report writing and press conferences. These courses will be reviewed while drawing up specific programmes for IIT-B students. While special PhD-level courses will be conducted,the existing curriculum will also be modified to suit the needs of the students. It will include PhD-level coursework relevant to a particular research. Ways to train students in presentation and documentation will also be looked at. While many top universities make students videotape their presentation,similar practices may be adopted by IIT-B. Thesis writing is a critical component of any PhD programme. PhD students come from various backgrounds and institutes spread across the country and not everyone can put across their ideas well. The committee will review the methods being followed currently and recommend the changes required to ensure all students can write a good thesis, said a senior professor.
