Lot of discussion is going on the topic 'part-time Vs fill-time research'. I would like to share my ideas. All of us agree that quality of higher education in general; PhD in particular is a matter of concern. Various measures to maintain the quality have been the taken in the past. For example introduction of UGC-NET scheme, in my opinion, is a quality control mechanism adopted by UGC for employment and research grants. It is working fairly well. Different universities follow different strategies for maintaining the quality. Like many other universities, for example, University of Mysore also follows an entrance test for admission to MLISc course. Though this move was initially resisted, now it has been accepted. There may not be a huge difference. However, there is a noticeable change in the quality of input. Similarly I am sure we have to adopt some quality control mechanisms to PhDs also. A few universities have gone for entrance test for admission to PhD just like MLISc. The eligibility tests, seminars, pre-thesis colloquium etc are few other measures to maintain the quality. Probably it is in this context, universities like JNU, Kerala etc., have restricted admission to PhD only to full-timers. We all agree that quality depends upon many other factors too. No single measure would drastically change the situation. The combination of various measures might add positively to the cause. A serious research calls for time and commitment from the researchers. It is a general belief that more the time available for research, better would be its quality. If certain universities take this aspect more seriously and try to work out some measures to implement, it may not be a good idea to counter attack their motives. Instead of dismissing their attempt out-rightly, let us allow them experiment with their new stand and come out with a new model. After all, several other universities are available without such restrictions for those who really interested in pursuing their doctoral degree. University of Mysore follows an alternative strategy. It puts a bar on the maximum number of part-time researchers a guide can take. Of course, this rule is applicable to all the disciplines including library science. At the time of submission of thesis, a certification is required stating that the researcher has been in the Department/with the Guide for 100 days exclusively for research work. What does this certificate mean? Does it not mean that the university wants the researcher to be away from his/her other duties and concentrate on the research work? Instead of finding fault with the universities going for full time researchers, can we not find ways of fulfilling the requirements? Faculty Improvement Programme available to college librarians of Karnataka, wherein the librarians are allowed to take up research work for two years, is a good way out for the problem. The employers should also encourage the employees by deputing them. Many of the companies do not allow certain category of their employees to undergo any educational programs. Why is it so? Because they think that it might have an impact over the performance of the employee in the company. That means company expects the employee to be physically and mentally free to attend to the work of the company. For the similar reason, government employees are not allowed to accept part-time assignments, even though they appear to have enough spare time. It is but natural that employers take certain measures to see that their employees provide maximum service to them. Similarly, if a department wants its students to concentrate on the job (in this case the research) more seriously by imposing certain conditions, what is wrong in it? After all, it is up to the Departments/Universities to safeguard the educational standards. -- N.S. Harinarayana, Ph.D Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore, Manasagangtori Mysore 570 006 Off. Ph: (0821) 2419393 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.