IIMs to focus on quality PhD programmes

Creating more quality PhD programmes will address the problem of faculty shortage in institutes

The ministry of human resource development and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are working on the ­possibility of expanding ­doctoral ­programmes. Prakash Javadekar, union HRD ­minister, said last week that creating more quality PhD programmes will address the problem of faculty shortage in institutes.

For creating more PhDs, better avenues of ­fellowship will be offered to willing ­candidates, said HRD minister Prakash Javadekar. (Hindustan Times)

And for creating more PhDs, better avenues of ­fellowship will be offered to willing ­candidates.The minister also said that in line with the IIT Council, where it has been decided to award PM’s ­scholarship for PhD programme, ­government approval will be sought for PM’s scholarship for best of PhD scholars in IIMs.

A final decision will be taken with the Cabinet’s approval. IIMs will actively ­participate in creating content for SWAYAM which is an ­information technology platform ­hosting open online courses.

The institutes will also ­provide high quality ­education on various subjects from Class 9 to undergraduate and postgraduate students covering all disciplines. SWAYAM is a free course which can be availed online and shall be a complete ­channel of new open learning system ­comprising of lectures, reading materials, tutorials, mid exams, final exams and certification.

The IIMs have also been asked to submit plans for ­expansion of their intake capacity, so that more ­students get the ­opportunity to enroll themselves.

Directors of IIMs have discussed this possibility in a meeting with the HRD ­minister last week. IIMs will also participate in a new ­government initiative to make 20 world-class universities/institutes.