It had announced three years ago that these degrees would be considered as an option to NET or SET
In a setback to the country’s 14 open universities, the University Grants Commission, or UGC, has barred them from conducting research programmes, namely PhD and MPhil.
Pointing out the declining quality of research projects in a “distance learning” system, UGC has stopped registration for PhD and MPhil programmes at all the 14 open universities, including the India Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
This has sparked angry reactions from academics and students attached to open universities who believe the “declining quality of research” is a national concern and not confined to open universities.
Three years back, UGC had announced that degrees like MPhil and PhD would be considered as an option to the National Eligibility Test (NET) or State Eligibility Test (SET) for recruitment of full-time teachers at colleges. After this announcement, thousands of students registered for MPhil and PhD programmes at open universities. So it has come as a surprise that UGC has not only revoked this decision but also banned research projects at open universities. A notice to this effect has been put up on UGC’s website.
Speaking to Business Standard over the phone from New Delhi, a top UGC official said: “We expect research projects to be taken very seriously and that seems difficult in a distance learning system. A research fellow needs to be in regular touch with the guide and library and therefore we have decided that open universities cannot conduct MPhil and PhD programmes. Open universities allow research in arts, commerce and management streams and not in science. Over the years, we have observed a continuous decline in the quality of research projects at these universities.”
Expectedly, officials at open universities are unhappy. More than 9,000 research projects are already going on at different open universities and most of them are MPhil programmes.
Chandrakant Bhonjal, head of virtual learning centre at the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, said UGC’s decision was unfortunate. “A large number of students pursuing PhD even at state universities do not meet the guide every day. For subjects in arts, commerce and management streams, there is no laboratory work. Hence, UGC should not differentiate between research projects at an open university and those at any other state university.”
An official at the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth echoed Bhonjal’s sentiments. “Has UGC done some survey or study that suggests that research projects completed at open universities are below standard while the ones completed at state as well as private universities are excellent? UGC needs to look at the standards of research across all universities,” he said. “We will challenge this move, which is discriminatory to open universities.”
Respected Sir, i have registerd in M.Phil fromglobal open university at DEC 2008 but i have completed my m.pHIL LAW and award the degree on DEC 2010. i want to know whether my degree is valid or not. thank you Sir
Dear sir,
As we know UGC have banned the mphil and phd course from university , it is wrong very wrong , UGC must rethink about their decions that every student want to become more and more knowledgable, highly educated, one side govt said about right to education and another side they are denying by banned the open university to continue mphil and phd
UGc must Re- think about that and allow open university for mphil and phd programm. this is humbly request from a thousand of students and specially those who are working , service man, employed and non employed , who are doing research work and want to do research work in future through open university. like ignou, and by south universities.
I hope that my plight may be heard off and may be disposed off after considering our humble request
subhash chander email ( thapliyal_2006@yahoo.com )
Posted by: Naseer Danish
June 27 , 2011, 21:14 IST
Dear sir,
I asks some question about banned of m.phil ph.d course in open university.
If your step is valueable why should not accepted a number of students in addmission in state universities in jk ?
dear sir i pased m.phil in political science june2009 by m.g.s university of bikaner please tell me that my degree is vailed ya not and also i exempt the net exam. my mobail no 9351838927
why do ugc is playing with students career by frequently changing their own decision. This unfair and injustice to students. who can challenge ugc that's why they are plying. Disgusting..........
Respected Sir,
i have registerd in M.Phil fromglobal open university at june 2008v but i have completed my m.phil and award the degree on march 2010. i want to know whether my degree is valid or not. thank you Sir
i had done m.a in english from ignou with 58% marks now i want to do ph.d/m.phil can i go for krishnakant handiqut open university,jorhat assam. is there degree valid as per ugc norms.
When we are competing globally and we have so much RESERVATION in education,how good are the UGC OFFICERS.....doing the assessment....Cannt u look at the USA....Most of them like to go there ?!....Have they done any research on the reseaech of open universities.....Are the guides in universities so good,knowledgeable and impartial ????!!!....just think for a cause
I want to enquire whether M.Phil(English) from vinakaya uni salem is valid. i was appeared in December 2009 and result is still awaiting. can i take the advantage iof this degree in my profession. i m a govt teacher?
Posted by: L B Singh
May 01 , 2010, 14:32 IST
Is there any chances to do part time system to do Ph D in science.my proffesion is Teachingand reserch and more over i am staying at Andaman Islands remote of the remotest area, chances are very less.
I've completed BAMS[Ayurved] . And doing external MA in psychology ,meanwhile working in a psychiartric hospital . can go for Phd in same subject, then what is criteria and elgibalit ..
i rajakumar working as a lecturer in engineering college i had complited m.phil degree in vinayakamission university through distence education in the acadamic year2008-2009,is it accepted or not to the jntu kakinada.plese send your reply
Posted by: jagtar
March 08 , 2010, 18:37 IST
whether M.Phil(Eng) from global university nagaland is valid from UGC?
i have complete my m.phil. degree from the global open university,nagaland
in2008j ....is my degree cancelled....before announcing ugc this i got my degree.........
Why UGC is giving option of Ph.D. or M.Phill. to NET/SET ? If the university teachers are not able to clear the NET/SET they have no right to teach the students. How their students can clear the NET/SET for getting the teaching job? If UGC take the decision that there will be no option for NET/SET in such case the Ph.D. from distance mode should not be banned.
Posted by: Dr.Sunil.thakurcipla
February 24 , 2010, 00:58 IST
Dear, times needs developments and so always set your vision in future & present plans and not worry about what happend in past think about it have great future.
Posted by: Vijay
November 17 , 2009, 20:09 IST
I do not understand why SET/NET holders should consider themselves superior to M.Phil/Ph.D holders.Actually, neither SET/NET nor M.Phil/Ph.D. is anyhow useful in assessing the teaching ability of a candidate unless a person has done research work in subject education.
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