DU permits Skype viva for PhD students, plagiarism check must

Scholars pursuing PhD at Delhi University can now appear for their viva through Skype or other modes of video conferencing.

The varsity has also made it mandatory that the thesis submitted by the PhD scholars pass a "plagiarism check" and procured specialised softwares for it.

"Earlier the students had to appear in person for their viva for PhD programmes. So, the ones who had completed their thesis and were offered any opportunities abroad, they had to travel back for the process. Now this need has been done away with," a senior varsity official told PTI.

"The students willing to appear for viva through skype or other modes of videoconferencing need to inform their respective departments in advance. Similarly, if certain expert on interview panel is unable to come in person, then the viva will be arranged through similar modes," he added.

Following directives from the University Grants Commission (UGC), to discourage plagiarism in PhD thesis, DU has made it mandatory that all the theses submitted will be subjected to plagiarism check using specialised softwares.

"There are certain softwares which are available over the internet too but they do not yield fool proof results. We are procuring certain specialised softwares to ensure the scholars cannot do any cut-paste job," the official said.

The varsity has amended its PhD ordinance in accordance with UGC Regulation, 2009 (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD degree)and UGC Regulation, 2010 (Minimum qualifications for Appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in Higher Education).

The amendments were approved during an Executive Council (EC) meeting of the varsity last week.

The varsity has also increased the time span for finishing PhD from four years to upto 6.5 years.