UGC PhD Excellence Citation aims to boost high-quality research

UGC PhD Excellence Citation aims to boost high-quality research

Sonal.Srivastava@timesofindia.com 14.10.2024 

To create a quality research ecosystem, identify high-quality PhD work among young research scholars and recognise them, the UGC is instituting the ‘PhD Excellence Citation.’ The research works for the citation will be selected through a vigorous process, including a screening committee at the university level and a selection committee at the UGC level.

 “Each university may constitute its screening committee to shortlist candidates for the PhD Excellence Citation,’ says Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, UGC chairman. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may use the following parameters while shortlisting the theses: 

Originality and Innovation: The thesis should demonstrate original thinking and innovative approaches to a specific research problem or topic; Methodology: The quality and rigour of the research methodology employed in the thesis will be crucial. This includes the design, execution, and analysis of the research; 

Clarity and Structure: The thesis should be wellwritten, organised, and structured clearly and coherently; References and Citations: The proper use of references and citations to acknowledge previous work and sources of information is essential; Presentation: The presentation of the thesis, including figures, tables, and other visuals, should be of high quality; Defence: The candidate’s ability to defend their thesis during the viva voce or oral examination is also considered. 

“Given the heterogeneous nature of HEIs in the country and the prevailing multidisciplinary education, the HEIs will decide on the suitability of athesis in a particular stream,” says Professor Kumar. “Eminent professors and researchers from top institutions in India will be part of the selection committees. Each committee will pick two candidates from their respective streams based on the po tential of the thesis to contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge in the field of study. The committee shall also consider the publications and patents emanating from the thesis. Thesis work done in collaboration with industry will be encouraged. 

The committee will give  priority to India-centric issues and solutions. Universities may upload the nominations on the application portal which will be created for this purpose. The selection committee for each stream will evaluate the nominations and recommend two theses for PhD Excellence Citation to UGC. The selection commit tee formed by UGC may also be free to decide on the suitability of a thesis under a particular stream. UGC will facilitate the winners with a citation in a function organised by UGC on September 5 every year,” says Professor Kumar. Scholars from five streams including Sciences (Agricultural Sciences, Medical Sciences), Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences (including Education and Humanities), Indian Languages, Commerce and Management will be eligible for the PhD citation.

“The UGC will ensure that field-specific committees with experts from various disciplines will xamine the theses to ensure that evaluation standards are appropriate for each field. UGC expert committees will use qualitative metrics, such as long-term research impact, innovation, and societal relevance, rather than simply focusing on the number of publications or citations. The idea is to help promote meaningful research,” says Prof Kumar. Seeking funds HEIs must better support PhD scholars to promote excellence in PhD research. 

“They should work towards getting increased funding from external sources such as government grants, private foundations, and industry partnerships. HEIs must establish Research and Development cells based on UGC guidelines to help their faculty write successful project proposals, turn basic research into applied research and develop startups,” he adds. Institutions that are NAAC accredited and recognised under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act are eligible to nominate PhD theses from their institutions, Professor Kumar says that this will encourage more institutions to apply for accreditation.