Bangalore University announces new reforms

Bangalore University's (BU) PhD course will see major reforms. The draft ordinance framed by a committee has been approved by the academic council meeting.As per the draft ordinance, those who are interested in a PhD degree from the Bangalore University need to take an entrance test for registration.

The university will prepare a merit list of candidates based on the marks secured in the test.The candidates those who have already cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) will however not be required to take the PhD entrance test and can register directly.The number of students one guide can mentor at a time has been restricted to six, including candidates who are under funded projects. In the existing system, there was no restriction and any number of students could register with a single guide.

These changes are aiming at increasing the quality of PhD papers. The candidates who register for PhD should take up the course within a year which would include two semesters consisting of six papers with a provision for continuous assessment.Part-time candidates need to work for at least 90 days per year in the department of research guide.The guide should supervise the candidate under him/her properly by maintaining proven periodic record of the candidate, failing which he/she will be subjected to disciplinary actions as per service rules.The word 'guide' is replaced by 'supervisor'.The allotment of guides will be made after the chairperson of the PG department convenes a meeting of the department council and allots candidates as per the merit list.

The candidates belonging to BPL families,who register for PhD programmes in BU will get a monthly fellowship of Rs5,000 for three years.