Gujarat Technological University to now offer its own PhD prog

Three years after its establishment, Gujarat Technological University (GTU) is all set to start its independent Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme for the first time. What’s more, the varsity is also offering an inter-disciplinary PhD.

According to Dr Aggarwal, this will be among one of the biggest PhD programmes in the country. “For the first time in the country, we will allow students to opt for inter-disciplinary PhD, which aims to attract world-class research,” said Dr Aggarwal. Under the inter-disciplinary PhD, a researcher can opt for a subject which was not part of his post-graduation programme.

The PhD programme has been initiated for twelve courses in engineering, pharmacy, management and computer science. Dr Aggarwal also expects an increase in the patents being registered by students from Gujarat. “During last 10 years, Gujarat has registered only 51 patents. We want to change this scenario through our research programmes,” said Dr Aggarwal.

GTU selected 352 candidates for the programme through an entrance test a month ago. To set high benchmarks and make the guides of the PhD programme aware about the latest methodology and skills, GTU organised a two-day workshop on research methodology for all PhD supervisors on
June 9-10. According to vice-chancellor Dr Akshai Aggarwal, this was the first step towards building a world-class environment for PhD programme at GTU. “To impart training to our PhD guides regarding research methodology, GTU collaborated with Pune-based C-DAC center. We also invited other prominent professors to share their knowledge,” said Dr Aggarwal.

GTU will interview 351 students from July 4. The university has identified 192 guides/supervisors under whom the students will commence their doctoral work. The academic programme will begin from August 1. During the two-day workshop jointly organised with C-DAC Pune, distinguished faculty from abroad conducted workshop on major research issues including research tools, technical writing, research publication and commercialisation. GTU had also roped in Dr Verendrakumar Bhavsar, who teaches at University of New Brunswick, Canada and C-DAC Pune, to conduct the programme.