Madras varsity teachers seek right to guide PhD students

• R. SUJATHA
• 
  

THE HINDU

Institution’s PhD brochure calls for two years’ experience for a PhD-holder to be given guide-ship

Around 100 assistant professors appointed in various departments of the University of Madras are awaiting permission to guide PhD scholars. These teachers have been appointed against permanent vacancies and were put on ‘probation’ for two years.

The appointments were made by the then Vice-Chancellor (VC) R. Thandavan and in the absence of a Vice-Chancellor at the university now, their wait could only get longer.

S. Elumalai, Head of the Department of Biotechnology, who was denied guide-ship, brought up his case at the Senate meeting recently, saying that though he had the requisite qualifications to be a research guide, his plea for being granted guide-ship was pending for two years.

He said he had guided students during his tenure as a college teacher which was counted as experience when the university appointed him.

Backing the demand, Syndicate member G. Ravindran said, “Guiding is the mainstay of research. A professor must guide, take up research activity and publish the findings.” If they cannot do research, how their performance can be assessed, he asked.

Senior professors said the university’s PhD brochure called for two years’ experience for a PhD-holder to be given guide-ship. “Anyone who has been appointed in the university is considered to be on probation for a certain period and there is nothing binding on either party during this period,” explained a retired professor, whose department appointed four assistant professors who do not have permission to guide research scholars.

Sources said when the new appointees had taken up the issue with Mr. Thandavan, he allowed them to guide MPhil students as the brochure was silent on guiding them.

In the meeting, the members sought a resolution to abolish the post of Dean Research, claiming that the official had failed to do his duty.








Confirming this, Registrar David Jawahar said the professors were frustrated with the delay and had moved such a resolution. “ The decision to abolish the statutory post would require a larger discussion,” he said.