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UGC lifts ban on Distance PhDs, MPhil courses?? (Kindly Confirm)?
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has lifted the two -year-old ban on distance MPhil and PhD courses. The move comes after widespread protests by various universities. Many Open Learning Universities like IGNOU were protesting the ban on the ground that their respective laws, passed by Parliament or legislatures, allowed them to offer such courses.
UGC held a meeting on the issue last month, deciding to lift the ban. “An open university may be permitted to conduct MPhil/PhD programmes through distant education mode subject to condition that it does so strictly as per the provisions of the UGC Regulations,” said the minutes of the meeting.
Speaking on the development, IGNOU vice-chancellor Rajasekharan Pillai said, “We will follow the rules but our regulations are already stricter than those of the UGC.”
Although, UGC has lifted the ban but it has put another condition for Phd — the principal guide should be from the open university. The UGC had clamped the bar by notifying a rule — the Minimum Standards and Procedure for Awards of MPhil/PhD Degree Regulation — in 2009 saying research courses in the distant mode were of poor quality.
The regulations had put a question mark on the future of nearly 10,000 students pursuing such courses across the country.“There should not be any blanket ban on MPhil or PhD in distance mode. If institutions meet the required quality parameters, they should be allowed to offer such courses,” said academic M. Madhava Menon, who has been asked by the HRD ministry to draft a policy on distance education. He said he would submit his report next month.
Inadequate infrastructure of many open universities is also a concern for carrying out research work.
A UGC official said the commission’s regulations were silent on the facilities, and a panel headed by academic S.P. Thyagrajan had been set up to suggest the requirements. “We will meet on September 15 to lay the guidelines,” Thyagrajan said.
[Source: The Telegraph]
Views: 8139
Replies to This Forum
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Permalink Reply by Shaikh Simee on
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i do agree with my fellow colleagues but until and unless the distance education does not improve the working system nothing can be gained...had a very bad experience with one of the distance university the plight is worst.But what if a person has done the masters sincerely and not been promoted in his/her institution lacking just a degree.
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari on
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Dear Friends
I do have strong reservations about this permission, however UGC is the top body which can take decisions.
First why NET is not strictly made compulsory which is perfectly allright and ensures the quality.
Second why people look for PhD instead of NET which does not need any guide but gives the similiar results in case of eligibility and qualification for the Lecturer or Asst Librarian in Univ.
Thirdly it is clear that PhD as it looks the easier short cut for getting the BAR cleared, so there must be strict rules adherence for perusing the same.
Many may not agree with my views but I have by personal views in favour of our professional ethics and dignity.
regards
vijay
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Manish Kumar Bajpai on
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I support and agree with you. But my submission is that there must be option to go for PhD through Distance education who are worthy for the same.
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Permalink Reply by Siddhartha Shankar Ray on
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This is a very good news for those who wants to acquire higher degrees. But it is a very bad news for the profession!! Soon we shall see that Persons with M.Phil or Ph.Ds in Library Science can be hired with a monthly consolidated salary of Three Thousand Rupees or @rs. 100/- a day!!
Many authorities will love to have book sorters in their libraries with Doctorate Degrees in Library Science.
I wish Good Luck to those who feel elated with the news!
Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta
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Permalink Reply by Parmod Kumar Lamba on
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Thanks sir for this great news
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Permalink Reply by Rohan bajaj on
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it will help people in pursuing phd along with job
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Permalink Reply by Ravithimmegowda on
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I Agree with you Mr.Prakash, some open universities are violating the Norms of Open university as you said. but some of the universities are well maintained the rules. But due to these universities all open universities have bad name. so that, government has to instigate the situation and ban those universities. I had seen so many of our professional colleagues have purchased Degree now they are all settled in government job, but we have agitated to get those degree because of that we are still struggling to get good salary in private institute. the overall education system has to be changed or else there no end for this.
Ravi
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