Chennai: Anna University sets min marks for PhD interviews

Chennai: To improve the quality of research scholars entering into the university departments and engineering colleges, the Anna University has introduced minimum marks in entrance test for PhD scholars to qualify for the interview.

According to new regulations, the candidate has to score 40 out of 100 marks in the test and need to be selected by the interview committee to be enrolled as a research scholar.

Currently, around 13,000 PhD scholars are pursuing research at Anna University and its affiliated colleges. Though the entrance test has been conducted for several years there were no minimum marks prescribed by the university. So, the candidate who was preferred by the guides normally gets a nod to enrol themselves as research scholars.

It has reportedly brought down the standard of research. A section of professors felt the new regulations will bring down the enrollment of research scholars into the engineering institutions.

“It will definitely increase the quality of education. Expecting a level of prerequisite knowledge from a PhD candidate is necessary to step for quality PhD,” said I.Arul Aram, president, Anna University Teachers Association.

“If the input is mediocre, the output also would be the same. What is the point of producing mediocre PhDs?” he asked.

While streamlining the research, the university also did away with the M.S. (research) programme. “No new candidates would be admitted into the programme after the existing students finished their degree. This course does not have any bright job prospects as it was not recognised as equivalent to M.E., and M.Tech,” professors said.

“Now, we have brought minimum standards for research scholars for admission. They have to pass the examination and appear for the interview. The interview committee will select them,” said M.K. Surappa, Vice-Chancellor, Anna University.

Of 2,000 candidates who wrote the entrance test recently, the qualified candidates will be called for the interview. The interview process will start on November 3.

The said move expected to bring down the number of research scholars in Anna University's four campuses.

When enquired whether it will affect the state university's rankings, Professor Surappa said, “It will not affect the university's ranking as it is linked with the quality of research and number of citations. Anna University's faculty members already have a large number of research scholars. If we have more research scholars it will reduce the quality.”

It also stipulated rules like submission of periodic reports for existing research scholars like in IITs and IISc.

Some professors were critical that Anna University does not have the same infrastructures that of IITs.

“We need to build adequate infrastructure to enable quality research. But, the university cannot admit students who are not able to do research,” the Vice-Chancellor said.