The Hindu : Front Page : Academics question M.Phil. through distance mode

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 19, 2006

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Academics question M.Phil. through distance mode

R. Krishnamoorthy

`Readymade thesis' has diluted the appeal for M.Phil. course

TIRUCHI: With the focus on upgrading M.Phil. programmes gaining ground in the wake of University Grant Commission's decision to do away with the requirement of a pass in National Eligibility Test (NET) for lectureship, academics have questioned the rationale behind universities offering M.Phil. courses through correspondence.

The reasoning is: candidates holding an M.Phil. degree, acquired through correspondence, are rejected at the very outset for teaching jobs. Institutions think that they havelimited or no exposure to a laboratory environment.

However, in the event of withdrawing M.Phil. course from distance education mode, universities will face a financial strain. In fact, it was only after introducing this course a few years back that universities could identify a basis for competition by way of starting study centres beyond their jurisdictional areas.

The mushrooming of `Syndicates' / `Research Centres' throughout the State facilitating candidates to prepare `readymade thesis' has diluted the appeal for M.Phil. course."There have been instances of one set of data presented by a candidate during a particular year in one institution being replicated with minor variations by another in the subsequent years in a different institution. But they cannot be detected unless or otherwise they incidentally fall under the scanner of common examiners, reveal sources.

Meanwhile, Bharathidasan University plans to increase coursework for regular M.Phil. programmes. The allotment for coursework is expected to be increased to 30 hours a week. With subjects taking the shape of multifarious specialisations, the course content, which could not be integrated into postgraduate programmes owing to limitation of time, could be offered at the level of M.Phil. degree.

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