Fate of MU inter-disciplinary scholars hangs in balance
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 22 2012: Fate of PhD scholars in interdisciplinary or allied subjects in Manipur University remained uncertain as they have not been awarded degree on their papers concerned.

According to a reliable source, the minimum standard and procedure for award of M.Phil/ PhD of the University grant Commission as published in the gazette of India government dated July 11, 2009, allowed to confer degree to research scholar for their subject/papers concerned.

This gazette notification is not to be changed until publication of another gazette.

However, authority of the Manipur University has been awarding degree to allied papers violating the gazette notification.

According to Manipur University Amendment PhD Regulation, allied subjects or related subjects are considered as allied subjects.

Besides, a memorandum of the Manipur University dated June 14, 2010 said that the University will enforce the guideline of UCG as mentioned in the gazette.

However, in the 94th meeting of the Board of Studies of Social Sciences, the Academic Council did not approve awarding of PhD degree to the original subjects.

Instead, the Academic Council approved awarding of degree by the parent department to law students even though they are doing research on interdisciplinary or allied papers.

The big question now is what would be the fate of the students as the University has been awarding degree only in the name of registered department instead of awarding on subjects concerned to the scholars doing research on interdisciplinary or allied subjects.

According to the source, the degree awarded to research scholars will be in vein if the degree has not been awarded to the interdisciplinary or allied paper concerned as there possibilities of rejecting their application on the ground that they have not got the degree for the subject concerned.

In accordance to the Manipur University Amendment Regulation, Point-21, the decision of the Vice Chancellor is final on the matter and thus, the fate of the research scholars now depends on the decision of the Vice Chancellor, the source added.

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