UGC Regulation- 2009 can go a long way in improving the quality of Ph.D. Research

The Tribune, New Delhi, January 14, 2011, P. 10
Regulating Research
Ramesh Gupta’s article “Improving the quality of PhD research” (Jan 4) was timely. The writer has rightly batted for the establishment of “Central Registration Agency” which can provide data before registration of a particular topic and show whether same topic or in a modified form is being pursued at some other university or not.
However, the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil/Ph.D Degree) Regulation, 2009 provides for a “Depository with UGC” where following the successful completion of the evaluation process and announcements of the award of M.Phil/Ph.D. the university has to submit a soft copy of the M.Phil /Ph.D thesis to the UGC within a period of 30 days. The judicious use of this provision can eliminate the chances of the same or modified topic registered at two or more universities at the same time.
Further, not only the examiners but also the supervisors of the Ph.D. thesis should be related to their field of specialisation. The said regulation of 2009 mandates that the allocation of the supervisor for a selected student shall be decided by the department in a formal manner depending on the number of students per faculty member, the available specialisation among the faculty supervisors, and the research interest of the student. The allotment/allocation of supervisor shall not be left to the individual student or teacher.
Moreover, to emphasise that while sending PhD thesis/M.Phil dissertation for evaluation to external examiners, the identity of both supervisors as well as candidates should be kept a closely guarded secret.
RAJENDER GOYAL, Bahadurgarh