Restriction on PhD candidates
February 26, 2013 by From the NewspaperTHIS is with reference to the indigenous PhD fellowship programme offered by the Higher Education Commission.
Defining terms and conditions, the HEC clearly states that “an awardee would obtain study leave from his employer to join the institution of his study on a full-time basis.
This is mandatory”.
According to service rules, employees of the Sindh Education Department, including college teachers, are granted study leave along with salary for a period of not more than two years. The additional period will be granted as extraordinary leave without salary.
How will it be possible to complete M.Phil, followed by a PhD, in two years? It requires at least four to five years.
The HEC also offers a monthly stipend of Rs13,000 which was initially less than this.
How will a recipient feed his family and meet educational expenses of his children once two years are completed. His salary will be blocked by the Education Department and he will then have to rely on the meagre stipend of the HEC.
Moreover, the standard study leave, with pay in public-sector universities, is four to five years.
The HEC and the Sindh Education Department should increase study leave with pay up to five years.
SANAULLAH RUSTAMANI
Hyderabad
