Gujarat University to nurture climate change pundits

After introducing environment and climate related subjects in BSc and MSc programmes, Gujarat University (GU) has now introduced such subjects in its PhD as well.

Fifty students have been selected for their PhDs in the newly introduced subjects like Climate change and Environmental science, Bio-informatics, Bio-medicine technology, Human genetics, Geo-physics, Space science, Labour welfare, Forensic science and Life sciences.

According to the vice-chancellor Parimal Trivedi, such an initiative will benefit both students and the university to be recognized globally.

Around 1,200 students appeared for the entrance exam of PhD in September, followed by group discussions and personal interview. From these, the university selected 932 students for the PhD programme which encompasses various disciplines - Arts, Commerce, Management, Law, Education, Medicine, Education and Science. A total of 40 subjects were identified by the varsity under these disciplines.

GU has also introduced some new subjects under the Arts discipline like Mass communication, Library science and Physical education.
There are around 200 guides available for almost 650 students right now. These PhD students are required to complete their PhD in three years, during which they will not be paid any amount. Only 25 students registered for Junior Research Fellowship will be paid Rs7,000 per month. The V-C has assured that for the students in waiting list, the GU is also planning to appoint other guides in the near future.

The university has also linked a few government schemes with PhD subjects, through which students can evaluate schemes in Education, Health and Co-operation sectors.

Students can select subjects like standard of higher education in state, social problems linked with Gujarat's industrialization, solid waste management, fluoride level in ground water and child disorders for their evaluations.