Dear Mr. Vasanth Raju, I fully agree with each and every word you said ( I am sure others would also feel the same) about the present scenario of M.Phils and Ph.Ds in LIS in our country, particularly the role of UGC. We all know that it is same with many of the state universities, although Tamilnadu tops in this rank of awarding 'paper degrees for money', but let us not blame the UGC for this. I have been reading and watching this phenomenon since many years, but how many of us have ever tried to report such inconsistancies to the UGC or to the concerned authorities (we all know which are these universities in Tamilnadu). As far as I know there were only a few PhD holders in the entire country till the end of 1999. If you carefully examine or analyse, you will notice that some of our own professiopnal collegues in the LIS schools are really responsible for this situation who have either started or have been instrumental in starting MPhil/PhD courses in the distance mode indiscriminately (for whatever reasons). The most recent case was that of Dravidina University, Kuppan in AP where there is neither a LIS department nor faculty but more than 200 students have regsitered for MPhil. Unfortunately, many of the gullible students get attracted to these offers for gaining employment or promotion and end up paying huge sums of money. This is one of the reasons for the high level of un-employment in our profession which will grow further unless we do something. I have been telling many young students about the dangers of doing these degrees in distanace mode. Many of our young LIS professionals are still unware of the UGC regulations and the importance of NET. When there is an aternative to NET qualification, many would certainly prefer to take the 'easy route' for advancing their career. Perhaps they forget that a person with a full-time or part-time degree will always be preferred compared to a person holding a MPhil/PhD degree obtained in distance mode. I wish UGC maintains the status quo and make PhD or NET compulsory for the post of Asst. Professor in Universities. My sincere request to all LIS teachers and professional colleagues who are involved in policy making to STOP THIS PROLIFERATION OF MPHIL/PHD DEGREES IN DISTANCE MODE AND HELP THE PROFESSION RETAIN ITS ORIGINAL STATUS AND QUALITY. Dr. M. Koteswara Rao University Librarian University of Hyderabad On 12-11-10, Vasanth wrote:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Since 2008 when UGC has exempted M Phil holders from Ph D and NET to be an Assistant Professor in universities and colleges, it has become a never ending saga for both student and the stakeholders. UGC as an authoritative body in this case has failed to come to a right conclusion. They have again and again formulating new rules and putting job aspirants in trouble.
When UGC has exempted M Phil & Ph D holders from NET, universities, especially in Tamil Nadu have come forward to offer M Phil degree in large numbers without following any of the UGC’s guidelines in offering M Phil degrees. Throughout the year they have admitted students for M Phil degree. This has resulted in large number of M Phil and Ph D holders (1,000 Ph.D degrees have been awarded by Tamil Nadu universities in the last one year, The Hindu). The selection of guides for M Phil degree was done in very hasty manner and anybody having Ph Ds have become guides and have fixed certain amount of money to be guides for the M Phil students. Projects were duplicated and submitted to the most of the Tamil Nadu universities. Without examining the duplication of the project reports and the credibility of the guides, they have literally sold M Phil degrees in market.
By the time UGC realized the degrading quality of the M Phil degrees awarded by the many of the Tamil Nadu universities, large numbers of M Phil holders have awarded degrees and in some universities even Ph Ds were also awarded. UGC came up with new regulation that NET and Ph D to be remained compulsory for appointing assistant professor in universities and colleges (Minimum qualifications for the appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education 2010). But once again UGC’s exempted M Phil holders those who have obtained M Phil degrees on or before July 2009.
This has put NET qualified candidates in trouble. In a recent report published in the Hindu newspaper (2010, October 25), it has been found through Right to Information Act that none of the 54 appointments made in recent years by one of the universities in southern Tamil Nadu possessed NET qualification. Further the report revealed that 1,000 Ph.D degrees have been awarded by Tamil Nadu universities in the last one year. But, only the University of Madras and Bharathiyar University have submitted soft copies of one thesis each for the INFLIBNET depository. To add much to the chagrin, UGC has proposed to exempt all M Phil holders from qualifying NET examination. But the HRD ministry has rejected the proposal (UGC plan to dilute norms for lecturers rejected (UGC plan to dilute norms for lecturers rejected - The Times of India, 2010, November 10). This has exposed the UGC’s duality and lack of commitment in formulating rules for appointing teachers in universities and colleges.
------------------------- With best wishes Vasantha Raju N GFGC-Periyapanta Mysore
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