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Journalism of Courage
Plans to add around 65 guides for its PhD students
The Gujarat University (GU) is planning to increase the number of guides for its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students. According to officials, the varsity plans to add around 65 guides, thus increasing the total number of guides to 125. Moreover, GU also aims to double this figure to 250 within the next two years.
Even as GU is aspiring to churn out around 2,000 PhD holders every two years, Vice-Chancellors of other universities in the state feel that the announcement regarding the guides is ridiculous.
“PhD is the highest degree in the field of education. Quality is more important than quantity and one should not compromise with the quality of research work,” said Ramesh Goyal, Vice-Chancellor, MS University (MSU), Vadodara.
He added: “I am shocked to hear about this plan of GU. I do not think such kind of decisions will help in boosting the quality of education.”
Manish Doshi, Member, Executive Council, GU, said: “Firstly, there is no proper administrative process and transparent rules when it comes to PhD at the Gujarat University. We do not have any board of research. However, it takes an average of 5-7 years to complete a PhD at GU, which is the longest time period as compared to other universities of the state.”
Kamlesh Joshipura, Vice-Chancellor, Saurashtra University, said: “There is an active Research Development Centre (RDC) in our university, which helps us to work over the quality of education and directs our guides to teach their PhD students in a better and efficient manner.”
He added: “I think first GU needs to work on the time period in which students complete their PhD and then work on the quantity.”
GU Vice-Chancellor, Parimal Trivedi, was not available for comment.
