As per the VCD, the varsity would now conduct the pre-entrance test (PET) for admissions into research degrees online with multiple choice questions.
The University of Mumbai (MU) has put in place the implementation of a revised set of guidelines to award MPhil and PhD degrees, which was introduced two years ago by University Grants Commission (UGC). The implementation was set by Vice Chancellor's Director (VCD).
As per the VCD, the varsity would now conduct the pre-entrance test (PET) for admissions into research degrees online with multiple choice questions. The direction also paves way for having Open Defense Viva with the submission of thesis, a practice which was not followed for years.
In 2009, the UGC first introduced a set of minimum standard guidelines making mandating universities to have research centres, having a software to detect plagiarism in research and making open-defense vivas compulsory across UGC recognised institutes in the country.
The guidelines were later revised in 2016 with clearly laid down criteria for conducting examinations, admissions and submission of research work. Despite these norms in place, the MU was yet to implement some of the standard procedures thus facing criticism from educationists across the country.
The varsity aims to make the entire process of MPhil-PhD online and to enable students to see the list of available guides and vacant seats as per their subjects on MU's website. The varsity would then conduct PET only for the vacant seats. "The UGC has come up with a set of guidelines to ensure improvement in research quality. We are hoping this would be achieved," said Suhas Pednekar, VC, University of Mumbai.
WHAT'S NEW?
- Students can register, appear for the entrance, get to know about vacancies for their subject all on the varsity's official website
- Open defence viva would be made compulsory with the submission of thesis
- Students have to submit a progress report every 6 months to their designated research centres
- Theses would be checked for plagiarism and would be uploaded on INFLIBNET — a national repositor
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