Faculty demand permission for Assistant Professors to evaluate Ph.D theses
Faculty members at Madurai Kamaraj University are demanding that Assistant Professors be allowed to evaluate Ph.D. theses due to a shortage of Associate Professors. They argue that current institutional bottlenecks and stalled promotions are hindering research progress.
Why it matters
The issue reflects broader administrative and staffing crises in higher education that directly impact the career progression of research scholars.
Widespread demands were raised at Madurai Kamaraj University’s Academic Council meeting here on Friday to permit Assistant Professors to evaluate Ph.D theses due to a deficit of Associate Professors across affiliated colleges.
P. Murugesan, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Business Administration, MKU College, claimed that the J Committee, despite lacking Syndicate approval, introduced a new requirement via Form J for Ph.D. thesis submissions.
The move, he said, directly violated University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.
V. Umamaheswari, Associate Professor of English at Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar College, highlighted the hurdles research scholars face in entering academia and submitting their work.
She noted that even after navigating a tough research journey, scholars face major delays in getting final clearance due to institutional bottlenecks.
“The number of Associate Professors in the university and aided colleges is far too small,” she added.
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