CHENNAI: Anna University has relaxed norms that it is not mandatory for engineering colleges to offer ME and MTech programmes in order to offer PhD programmes. The move comes in the backdrop of most colleges closing down the masters programmes due to fewer takers. It would enable a large number of faculty members to enroll in PhD programmes and get guideship.
The varsity gave recognition to the PhD programmes only if the colleges had offered a PG programme in the concerned department for a period of five years. However, as many colleges closed down the PG programmes due to poor enrolment, the concerned departments were not able to get recognition for their PhD programmes.
"Even Anna University is not able to fill the PG engineering seats in many departments. For 10,000 ME and MTech seats available throughout the state, the only around 3,000 applications are received. The demand for PG courses is saturated as there are no teaching job opportunities. If we allow the departments with UG degrees to offer PhD degrees, it would create a good research atmosphere," R Velraj, the university vice-chancellor, said.
“As more candidates want to pursue PhD and colleges want a relaxation in the rule, our research board has relaxed the norm," he said.
Annually, around 1,000 students register for PhDs in engineering colleges across the state in a session. In Anna University's four campuses alone, 175 to 200 people register for PhDs.
Welcoming the move, engineering colleges said it would enable more faculty members to get guideship.
"The relaxation will enable more colleges to apply for recognition as research departments and will help faculty members with PhDs to get guideship. It will be useful to improve research in affiliated and autonomous engineering colleges," said B Chidambararajan, principal of SRM Valliammai Engineering College.
To attract more industry people to enroll for PhD programmes, Anna University's research board has also allowed the candidates to do two out of four course works online through NPTEL SWAYAM portal.
Colleges said enabling industry experts to do PhD will improve the quality of faculty members. "The relaxation will motivate more industry experts to do research. It will also help colleges to get a larger pool of experts as adjunct faculty and the quality of teaching will see a huge difference," said P Deiva Sundari, principal of KCG College of Technology.
