
12 research papers in 9 years: University of Mumbai contribution to UGC’s digital bank
Nine years after the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched Shodhganga, a digital repository of dissertations and theses submitted by research scholars, the University of Mumbai (MU) has contributed only 12 research papers to it, with eight of them from one research guide, Arvind Luhar from Ismail Yusuf College, Jogeshwari.
Managed by UGC’s Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, Ahmedabad, Shodhganga seeks to provide an open access to the vast body of doctoral research in India while curbing plagiarism and duplication of work. Shodhganga was set up in 2010, but the MU signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with INFLIBNET centre to contribute to the repository in January 2015. However, the university changed its rules to award PhD and MPhil in June last year, announcing that all research work had to be uploaded on the Shodhganga portal. The Mumbai university has awarded more than 1,400 PhDs, MPhils and MSc degrees between 2016 and 2019.
Other universities in the state are among the biggest contributors to the repository, which has so far accumulated 2.11 lakh research papers. Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) leads in the state, and ranks second nationally, with 9,706 theses uploaded on the portal, followed by Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU), Aurangabad, which contributed 5,035 papers. “While the university’s thesis section is responsible for submitting soft copies of papers, a proper chain of command is yet to be put in place,” said a professor from MU’s School of Economics and Public Policy. Another teacher from the sociology department said that he has been following up on the issue, to no avail. The university said the papers couldn’t be uploaded so far owing to technical reasons. “We have contacted INFLIBNET centre and will submit soft copies of papers soon,” said an official.
The teachers also pointed out other shortcomings in the research and development work at the 161-year-old university. “The varsity is yet to purchase the anti-plagiarism software which detects duplication in research,” said the sociology professor.
The economics professor said there’s no open-defence viva, where PhD and MPhil candidates are required to defend their work in an open forum.

Beware, Mumbai recorded more cybercrimes in 2020: Data

Lockdown effect: Deaths on Mumbai’s railway tracks down by 65℅ in 2020

51,068 crime cases registered in 2020 in Mumbai: Data

Public bike-sharing cheapest mode for last-mile in Mumbai: Report

Mumbai Metro 2A, 7 may start operations by May, says Maharashtra urban development minister

Bhima Koregaon case: Jail hospital ill-equipped to monitor Varavara Rao’s health, counsel tells Bombay HC

Maharashtra renames Gorewada international zoo after Bal Thackeray

3 injured as fire breaks out in a shop Mumbai’s Saki Naka area

Maharashtra gram panchayat polls: BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena, NCP claim victory

Mumbai: Over 800 students with 80% and above secure FYJC seats after five admission rounds

Maharashtra govt rejects General Motors’ plea to close Talegaon plant

Mumbai Metro-4 coaches: Bombardier lowest bidder, Chinese manufacturer ‘non-responsive’

Application seeking action for contempt against Kangana Ranaut filed in Bombay HC

Senate member files petition against new University of Mumbai registrar
