The Hindu : Kerala News : University plans research council

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

University plans research council

G.Mahadevan

Attempts to shore up quality of research work

Kerala University considers instituting post of director research
Proposals part of a 13-point blueprint by a special committee

THIUVANANTHAPURAM: The University of Kerala is considering setting up a research council and instituting a post of director research as part of its attempts to shore up the quality of research work in teaching departments, affiliated colleges and in recognised research centres.

These proposals form part of a 13-point blueprint finalised by a special committee - headed by syndicate member A.R. Rajan - and are the result of more than a year of deliberations among academics.

This exercise began at a workshop organised by the university in early 2007. The blueprint is yet to be officially ratified by the varsity.

The research council will have the Vice-Chancellor as chairman and will have 10 members; eight of them regular members and two, experts in various disciplines.

To plan and execute research activities in a coordinated manner, the university plans to have a director research who shall be appointed for a period of five years.

Director’s job

It will be the job of the director to “establish liaison with funding agencies and advice and assist the faculty (concerned) in mobilising funds”.

The director will also whet research proposals with experts and monitor submission of viable projects. Moreover, the research funds will be routed through the director to the principal investigator of each project, the draft document reads.

Advisory panel

The committee has also recommended a doctoral advisory committee (DAC) for each discipline with the head of the department as chairman.

The supervising teacher shall be the convener and all recognised guides of the department shall be its members. The Vice-Chancellor shall also nominate an expert - from outside the department - on the committee.

It will be the job of the DAC to recommend candidates for registration for the doctoral programme.

Qualifying test

If the proposals are accepted , the enrolment of a research scholar shall be through a qualifying test to be held in January each year. Those with M.Phil, holders of national research fellowships and teachers and scientists with seven years of experience will be exempted from the test.

Those who clear this test shall be given a provisional registration for one year. During this time, the candidate will undergo course work which includes a compulsory paper on research methodology and a special paper in the area of research.

After the course work, the research centre shall conduct an examination where a member of the DAC shall be one of the examiners. On clearing this examination, the candidate will be confirmed for final registration.

Minimum period

The minimum period of research inclusive of the period of provisional registration will be three years; two years in the case of M.Phil holders provided they continue with the same area of research.

The DAC shall recommended extension/ renewal of the fellowship after this term. Each research centre will also have a research coordinator who will report to the chairman of the DAC.

All research scholars will have to give a pre-submission seminar six months prior to the actual submission of the thesis. All members of the DAC plus five experts shall be invited for this seminar.

The report of this committee signed by the DAC chairman will be forwarded to the director of research who shall then issue orders to the candidate to submit the thesis incorporating the changes suggested.The final thesis will be evaluated by three experts in the area of research. They shall be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor from a panel of 12 adjudicators submitted by the supervising teacher.

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