Over 200 researchers waiting for M Phil viva; 500 candidates seek permission to submit dissertation;

Aurangabad, June 23:

More than 200 candidates have been waiting for their M Phil viva voce for the past few months within the jurisdiction of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (Bamu).

It may be noted that the University Grants Commission (UGC) scrapped M Phil with the implementation of the new National Education Policy (NEP).

Those who have qualified M Phil are eligible for Ph D admissions. It has attached great importance as the number of research guide is low compared to aspirants.

The deadline of dissertation submission for M Phil batch 2016-17 was ended in June 2020. Following the demand from students and Covid situation, the university decided to extend the date. It issued a circular in November 2020 asking all the candidates to submit their dissertation up to December 31, 2020.

According to sources, more than 200 candidates submitted their dissertation so far and they have been waiting for viva voce so that they can become eligible for Ph D admissions.

Each candidate will have to pay to a fine of Rs 5,000 for the delay in dissertation submission.

A group of candidates said that they would deprive of Ph D admissions if their viva is not held.

“The reason is that Ph D admissions is once in two or three years. If we miss the opportunity this time, we will have to wait for two or three years more. We took admission in M Phil in the hope of doing Ph D research. We feel that the university should hold viva of those who have submitted their dissertation within the given deadline,” they added.

Talking to this newspaper on this issue, vice-chancellor Dr Pramod Yeole said that they need to take permission from the authority concerned to conduct the viva of such M Phil candidates.

Meanwhile, there 500 candidates registered since 2013 have not submitted their dissertation so far. Since the M Phil was discontinued, they are waiting for permission to submit their dissertation. The viva will be held if they get permission for dissertation submission.