Keeping in view the shortage of researchers in private sector varsities, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has waived off the prerequisite of submission of thesis for advancement into a PhD programme, Pakistan Today has learnt.
In a letter addressed to the vice chancellors (VCs) of all public sector varsities, the HEC has directed the officials to remove the condition of thesis submission for candidates, who wish to enrol in PhD programmes.
As per the HEC letter, the candidates with thesis and non-thesis MS/MPhil degrees should be allowed to advance into PhD programmes.
The HEC has further directed the universities to consider candidates having MS/MPhil degrees without completing their thesis work.
The public sector varsities have fixed criteria for admission into PhD programmes with the completion of 30 credit hours, including an approved thesis, by the varsity.
The letter, written by HEC Executive Director Dr Sohail H Naqvi, clarified to the VC/Rector/President/Director of all public sector varsities that the university may award an MS/MPhil or equivalent degree upon satisfactory completion of 30 credit hours only. “Thesis and non-thesis degree options are available and it is not necessary to write a thesis to obtain the degree,” he stated.
Naqvi further said that each university may take the decision about the thesis/non-thesis option on its own subject requirements. “Consequently any person having completed an MS degree is eligible to be considered for admission into PhD programme,” he added.
Terming it a move to facilitate private sector varsities without adequate number of PhD qualified faculty to teach students on how to conduct research and preparation of thesis, the public sector varsities have voiced concerns over the new condition of HEC.
The varsities fear overburden of PhD candidates, claiming that the non-thesis MS/MPhil candidates would also come forward for enrolment in PhD programmes.
When approached for comments, University of Karachi (KU) Academic Affairs Pro-Vice Chancellor said that varsity had not received any such intimation from the HEC as yet.
“But how can a candidate complete 30 credit hours without the research thesis,” she questioned.
She was of the view that the KU is an autonomous institution and it is not necessary to implement the HEC’s each and every directive. “The varsity has an approved code of conduct with the provincial assembly and it would follow the rules,” she added.
“[However], if the HEC presses the KU for implementing the orders, then the matter would be forwarded to the Board of Advanced Studies and Research and if the board approves the suggestion, the matter would be taken to the KU Academic Council,” she said. “If the council also approves the suggestion, only then the move would be implemented.
The KU pro-vice chancellor said that under the MS/MPhil programme, the varsity has fixed one-year course study after which the candidates prepare a research thesis for the award of degree.
She added that the universities do not allow admission in PhD programmes until the research thesis is submitted.
No more thesis for PhD, thanks to HEC
