Bharathidasan University begins automation process for PhD courses

TRICHY: Bharathidasan University (BDU) has started the process of automating all activities related to PhD programmes right from registration to results declaration. The move is part of several reforms introduced for PhD programmes offered by BDU, which includes online qualifying test for admissions. The initiative will make the process faster and paperless.
Scholars can also view the progress of their PhD online.

This service was inaugurated on Friday by S Sivasubramanian, former vice-chancellor, Bharathiar Univeristy in the presence of BDU VC P Manisankar, registrar G Gopinath, controller of examinations K Duraiarasan and director (Research) S Muthusamy at the university premises. A Chennai-based company has been roped in to manage the software.

BDU is the last among state universities to implement UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for award of PhD degree) regulations in May 2016. The new PhD guidelines, which came in to effect in July 2018, were aimed at improving the quality of research work.

“Bringing in yet another reform, we have decided to make the whole process online,” said Muthusamy who heads the research section, formed in April last year exclusively to cater A-Z requirements of the PhD degree programme at the university.

The process was introduced last year itself but was delayed over technical issues relating to website and practical difficulties. “Even now, only 60% of the process would be made online. Gradually it would be brought to 100%. For instance, necessary documents for research students would be offline,” said Muthusamy.

“Students can make online application with their credentials and e-hall tickets will be generated with their photograph automatically. From PhD admission to results declaration, these activities will be automated giving a relief to all research guides and scholars with their own login details. The new automated service will expedite the entire process for the PhD programme,” said the vice-chancellor P Manisankar.