Panjab University paves way for interdisciplinary PhD

Paving way for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research embodied in the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, Panjab University (PU) has approved a mechanism under which the applicants for PhD programmes will be allowed to appear for the entrance examination not only in their primary field but in related disciplines and other departments/faculties as well.

Moreover, the departments have been asked to conduct the PhD entrance regardless of available seats once a year. The result of the exam remains valid for three years for a qualifying candidate. Around 900 students took the entrance for PhD in around 50 departments in August this year.

Delhi institutes running such programmes

While Panjab University has taken steps to facilitate interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research in PhD, other institutions in the region are also following the idea inculcated in the National Education Policy-2020. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, the Central University of Jammu and Delhi University have interdisciplinary PhD programmes.

According to the approved mechanism, the applicants seeking to pursue such a PhD programme across disciplines or departments should complete at least six additional credits in the pre-PhD course work in the relevant interdisciplinary subject as a bridging course. The specific courses are to be determined by the department concerned.

“This has been done to facilitate the student to get acquainted with the other discipline or the faculty. The NEP emphasises interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research and education to provide a holistic learning experience. The PU is committed to follow this,” said Harsh Nayyar, former Director, Research and Development Cell, under whose tenure the mechanism was decided.

Stating that making a student eligible for enrolment in different faculty or department is a crucial step in improving the quality of research, Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig said, “Since we aim to move towards better research, the need to offer multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary options is important. We encourage such a research if the seats are available with the supervisor in allied departments or if the research is interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary in nature.”

She added that the test was an opportunity for the student to prove his/her interest in the other department or discipline.