NET relief mooted for MPhil, PhD students Manash Pratim Gohain Monday, April 10, 2006 TIMES OF INDIA Even though the education sector is booming, shortage of quality faculty continues to be a nagging concern. If a report to exempt PhD and MPhil students from the National Eligibility Test (NET) is cleared by the University Grants Commission (UGC), it may prove to be a boon for both students and institutes. The report was formulated by a committee formed in January 2006 by the Ministry for Human Resources Development (MHRD) to review NET examinations. The interim report, which has been forwarded to UGC for consultation, observed that there is no rationale behind the clause that PhD and MPhil graduates need to first qualify NET to be eligible for teaching at the college and university level. NET was introduced in 1989. In 1993, UGC decided to give PhD and MPhil degree-holders exemption from NET, whereby students who had completed their PhD and MPhil on or before December 31, 1993, were eligible to apply for college and university level faculty positions. In 2002, UGC decided that the exemption would be extended to only PhD graduates. Again those who had completed their PhDs after December 31, 2002, were not eligible to apply for faculty positions. Keeping in view the large number of vacant positions in different universities and colleges across the country and the shortage in quality faculty, the interim report suggests permanent exemption from NET. The report observed that ‘‘MPhil and PhD are the highest degrees in our academic system and the NET requirement undervalues these degrees.’’ The three-member committee is headed by B Mungekar, member, Planning Commission. Vijayalakshmi J S Librarian Administrative Management College 18th K M Bannerghatta Road Bangalore 560083 Ph: 080-7828657 Mob:9886380349 e-mail:jsvijaya@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com