Punjabi University to restart MPhil

Patiala, November 22

Punjabi University has decided to restart MPhil course that was shut recently as per the New Education Policy-2020. As per the policy, undertaking a PhD now requires ‘Either a master’s degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree with research. The MPhil programme was thus shut by the UGC.

Officials at Punjabi University meanwhile said the university had decided to restart the course because of the pressure mounted by student unions.

“The university had earlier decided to discontinue the course. Now a new notification has been issued by the university administration wherein departments have been given permission to run the course in case they feel like”, said an official.

The official notification from the office of Dean Academics said the departments desirous of starting the course could do so.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Arvind said, “The course is being started because the student unions want it.”

“We can run the course. The UGC does not approve our courses. We will run it for a few years till there is a demand. Also we are expecting only a few departments to start the process”, he said.

He said other universities were also running the course. “We do not have any legal problem in running the course. Also, the other requirements, including classes, course material, availability of teachers will all be taken care of by the university as it has been doing earlier”, he said.

Prof Arvind said it would be made clear on notice boards so that students were not misled that the course was not recognised by the UGC.— TNS