Delay in evaluation makes research obsolete
| Date :06-Jun-2019 |
By Ajay Mardikar:
RTMNU releases list of scholars to get PhD, including three who had submitted their thesis in 2014
Inordinate delay in awarding doctoral degree (PhDs) has made the research of the scholars obsolete. The practice of such a delay in common in Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). On May 31, the University has issued a list of 53 persons, 52 getting PhD and one DLit. A large number of the researchers has submitted their research theses two to four years back. In the list, three scholars had submitted their theses in the year 2014. After waiting for five years they have been awarded PhD by the University. Similarly, six scholars presented their research work in 2015, 11 in 2016, 17 in 2017 and six in 2018. Except the research based on some old scriptures or theories, other research works become meaningless, following development during this waiting period.
The process of selecting the experts for valuation of the research work is complicated and is being followed for a very long period. Despite the issue of delay in awarding PhD was raised on several occasions. However, no solution to it was worked out. A panel of experts is submitted to the Vice-Chancellor, from which he selects two or three, as required.
The consent of the selected experts is sought. There is no time limit, during which the valuation should be completed and report submitted by the expert. In case of refusal by the expert or inordinate delay in submission of report, another expert is selected by the Vice-Chancellor and again the same procedure is followed. A few universities have adopted a different procedure to avoid such a delay.
They make phone calls to the expert and ask them whether they will be able to submit the report within a month or so. In case the expert is not in a position to submit the report within the stipulated time, another one is contacted. Most of the research work carried out by the scholars are redundant. The development during this waiting period makes the hard work meaningless. The University has worked out methods for timely valuation and announcing results of examinations it conducts. However, evaluation of research work has remained neglected. The researchers, with innovative research work and wish to register it for patent are the sufferers.