Nagpur University RTMNU- Are all of NU's 550 PhD scholars worthy of a degree?

From- TOI

NAGPUR: The Nagpur University seems to be on a spree of awarding doctorate of philosophy (PhD). This year, it will break all records by bestowing nearly 550 doctoral degrees during the 98th convocation on November 26. The number is highest ever in its 88-year-old history, but there are serious doubts about the quality of PhDs being churned out.

During the 97th convocation on June 5 last year, 218 PhDs were conferred while in 2009, some 332 such degrees were awarded. TOI had on August 3 reported that NU had awarded over 2,540 PhDs in the last decade, around 200 degrees per year, a staggering number as compared to other universities.

Controller of examinations (CoE) Siddharth Kane clarified that the number was more since the convocation was being held after nearly one and half years. He added that the numbers could increase further, since the convocation is still three weeks away. "The numbers are perhaps highest ever in NU's history," he confirmed.

Academicians say that the standard of NU's PhD candidates could be gauged from the fact that even though it adopted an easy objective-type pattern for its PhD entrance exam (PET), only 932 of 2,919 candidates managed to clear it. The exam designed to check candidate's inclination to research is largely based on aptitude, general knowledge and logical reasoning. The highest score in the exam was 76/100 while lowest was 1/100.

Some academicians also questioned the very basis of awarding such a prestigious degree so easily, since it would compromise the quality of education as PhD candidates go on to teach students. As per NU statistics, over 7,000 students registered for PhD in the last ten years, of which 2,360 submitted their project work while 1,990 were awarded degrees. The students getting PhD grew every year from 2001 to 2011. The years 2005 and 2010 were exceptions, when transition of university administration took place along with reconstitution of all the statutory bodies including Research Recognition Committees (RRCs), which clears PhD synopsis/theses work.

Management council member Mahendra Nimbarte slammed NU bosses for not doing enough to stem this rot. "I've heard of PhD guides and examiners involved in corrupt practices like asking for airfare and staying at luxury hotels at the cost of students before granting degrees. Such a high number of PhDs is a clear indication of corrupt practices in the entire process," he lamented.

The quality of PhD holders is also quite suspect, since students hardly engage in actual research, say academicians. Almost half the PhD holders have reportedly copied ideas from other universities, and in some cases even the synopsis and thesis were a complete plagiarism, in collusion with guides, academicians say.

BOX

Liberal Doctors

PhDs awarded in last decade by NU

Year PhDs

2011 550*

2010 218

2009 332

2008 285

2007 239

2006 184

2005 136

2004 267

2003 157

2002 105

2001 67

Total 2,540

(*Number could increase till convocation day)