PhD admission: Profs seek bigger role for research guides in single-window system

Chennai: The announcement of a single window counselling system for PhD admissions in all state universities by the higher education department evoked a mixed response from professors. They want a bigger role for research guides in selecting PhD scholars.According to the announcement by higher education minister Govi Chezhian in the assembly, state universities will publish discipline-wise details of departments, research supervisors and available PhD vacancies, allowing applicants to choose their area of research, institution and supervisor.
Sources in the department said that the admissions would be conducted at the university level. "The university will conduct a test for candidates and a merit list will be prepared based on the score. Students will get an opportunity to enrol in a PhD vacancy in a transparent and fair manner," the source further said.Professors from Anna University said the single-window system should give more importance to research guides in selecting PhD scholars. "This is not like UG or PG admissions. Each faculty member will have an area of specialisation. The candidate should be familiar with this area of research. The research guide should have a larger role in selecting the scholar under him," a professor said.As of now, a student can apply to a PhD entrance test only if the guide is satisfied with the candidature. Candidates with research fellowships, including UGC NET-JRF or GATE-qualified candidates, are exempt from writing the test. In the proposed single-window admission system, faculty members will play a role, as the interview will also carry a weightage in admissions.Colleges wanted the govt to include the views of students and faculty members while framing the guidelines. "Students' interest and faculty preference should be given importance," said Paul Wilson, principal of Madras Christian College.Madras University's former vice-chancellor P Duraisamy welcomed the single window admission system for PhDs. "This will ensure merit and rule out favouritism in the admissions. This is one step forward in improving the quality of research," he said.State universities such as Periyar University, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University and the Tiruvalluvar University are already following the single window admission counselling system for their PhD admissions.