DU convocation delayed, PhD students suffer

NEW DELHI: June is nearing its end but there is still no word on the Delhi University convocation this year. The delay has especially put PhD scholars, who will

NEW DELHI: June is nearing its end but there is still no word on the Delhi University convocation this year. The delay has especially put PhD scholars, who will be awarded degrees this year, in a bind.

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The convocation is usually held in the month of March. Last year too, the function was delayed and held on May 30. This year, it has fallen way behind schedule.

According to heads of departments, the delay is because the final examiner, who was to be invited for the final viva of the scholars, has not yet been selected by vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi.

As only the V-C has the power to take the final selection, the process has been delayed.

Apart from the viva delay, the PhD of the scholars who have completed the thesis has not been notified yet. The notification by the examination department allows students to apply for jobs and post-doctoral research.

“This is putting a lot of research scholars in a fit. The University Grants Commission (UGC) issues applications for the post doctoral research just once. The last date of application is June 30. Students may have to lose a year because of this delay,” said a head of department on condition of anonymity.

“The examination department is busy with the entrances but I will personally check on this matter. There has been a delay this time for the convocation as the admission process came in between. But we will notify it soon,” said Tyagi.

Almost 10 days ago, the dean of Faculty of Arts along with heads of department of different languages had met the dean of examinations over the issue.

“The ministry of human resource development (MHRD) guidelines clearly say that the student should get their degree in time within the set time frame even if the university does not hold a convocation. DU doesn’t seem to be following this,” said another HOD, who did not want to be named.