Ph.D. holder accuses guides of getting cash and gold from research scholars

Ph.D. holder accuses guides of getting cash and gold from research scholars

A. Prakash (second left) handing over a petition to Governor R.N. Ravi at the 39th convocation ceremony held at Bharathiar University in Coimbatore on Monday.

The Hindu Bureau  15.10/.2024

Coimbatore

A Ph.D. holder hailing from Virudhunagar district petitioned Governor R.N. Ravi on the dais at the 39th convocation ceremony of the Bharathiar University in Coimbatore, after receiving the degree from him, on Monday.

The petition raised serious allegations against some of the Ph.D. guides, ranging from collecting money and gold from research scholars to forcing them to do works at their residences.

A. Prakash from V. Pudupatti in Virudhunagar gave the petition to the Governor, when he was called on to the dais to receive his Ph.D. degree. Mr. Ravi received the petition, which was submitted on behalf of Mr. Prakash and a few research scholars and students of the university, and handed it over to his staff.

The petition, with the subject line “‘problems faced by the research scholars and students of Bharathiar University”, alleged that some guides at the university do not treat research scholars in a dignified manner. Apart from academic works, the research scholars are forced to work in the home of some guides, alleged the petition that was signed by more than 20 persons.

It alleged that research scholars are advised by some guides to spend ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh at the time of viva voce. Due to the compulsion, research scholars are offering money, food in the department and gold to some guides after the successful completion viva voce.

According to the petitioners, Bharathiar University has Adi Dravidar hostels. But since it is run as general hostels, research scholars and students belonging to Adi Dravidar communities have to pay monthly mess fees.

The petition claimed that the university administration allocates ₹75 lakh per year for hostel maintenance. Accusing the administration of not properly using the allocation, the petitioners alleged that money for hostel maintenance was being collected from hostel inmates through monthly mess fee.

Mr. Prakash apologised for giving the petition to the Governor on the dais, stating that he did not know other ways to take it to the Chancellor’s attention.

After the ceremony, Minister for Higher Education Govi Chezhiaan made a surprise visit to a hostel for research scholars on the campus and enquired inmates, whether they had grievances. He also enquired the faculty about the upkeep of the hostel and checked the quality of food being served there.