New VC moots single-window admission for PhDs

BD University is likely to introduce a single-window system for admission to PhD programmes in future, after receiving feedback from faculty and staff concerned. "Candidates who now go through a lot of stress while submitting forms would breathe a sigh of relief. Everything would be settled in one or two days after submission of the form. We are studying how this would be done and the plan would be executed after collecting feedback and assessments from university academicians," said newly ap-pointed Vice-Chancellor P Manisankar. After succeeding V M Muthu Kumar, Manisankar has lined up several plans to benefit the uni-versity.

 The very first step Manisankar proposes is about achieving A++ status in the third cycle of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) reaccreditation. As far as PhD evaluation is con-cerned, the maximum target would be six months and there would be transparency in proce-dures, he said. Introducing the single-window system for PhD programmes was one among the ideas suggested in a two-page report submitted to the Vice-Chancellor search committee during his in-terview. Manisankar has set aside two days this week to tour university departments and centres of the main and Khajamalai campus simultaneously to collect an overall picture of the institute. Department heads have received a schedule from the V-C on when he would visit their re-spective sections.

 The schedule displays the time and name of the department the V-C proposes to visit. In addition, a single-page questionnaire duly filled by university faculty would be assessed during his visits. The questionnaire seeks to find key focus areas of departments. Uniqueness of the department or centre, significant achievements in the last five years, future plan for one to five years, future plans for six to 20 years, essential requirements for NAAC and finally, grievances are some of the factors listed in the questionnaire. The collected ideas and grievances would be analysed and evaluated to improve standards at Bharatidasan University to make it the number one institution in India, said Manisankar.

An Internal Quality Assurance Cell meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday. The Association of University Teachers (AUT) has welcomed the proactive approach of the new V-C. Former AUT president K Pandiyan said, "Bharatidasan University has potential, but the only thing lacking was a proper leadership. As the new V-C is playing an active role, this is a very welcome step." Pandiyan suggested the single- window system would be a great move if implemented at Bharatidasan University and said that the same should be done in admissions to UG and PG courses. "Similarly, the V-C should instruct affiliated colleges not to collect fees other than what the university has prescribed in M Phil/PhD programmes," he added.
source: www. . readwhere.com/read/c/25443992