PhD thesis evaluation to go digital at Panjab University, scholars rejoice

In a development which is likely to benefit research scholars, Panjab University is all set to digitalise the process of PhD thesis evaluation and has introduced an in-house software for the same.

The move will benefit the students who have to submit around four to seven hard copies of the thesis and will also keep a check on examiners, as they will have to evaluate the thesis within a stipulated time, failing which the software will de-assign the thesis and assign it to another examiner. This will be done not just for the scholars on the university campus, but for everyone enrolled with the PU.

In region, only JNU has this facility

• Among the universities in the region, Jawaharlal Nehru University has software for evaluation of PhD thesis
• Delhi University provides online submission option through e-mail, but doesn’t have dedicated mechanism
• Similar is the case with other institutions, including Punjabi University, Chitkara University and Chandigarh University.

As of now, the scholars have to submit over four copies of the thesis, which costs them quite a lot. Under the new system, the copies will be uploaded online and the examiner will be receiving a mail to either accept or reject the task. Once the examiner accepts the checking task, he/she will have to evaluate the thesis and convey his opinion within a stipulated period of time. “It will be a boon for the scholars. The unnecessary expenditure on printing the copies and the delays on the examiner’s end will be done away with,” said a research scholar.

Since the transition to the digital mode is a sudden change, the examiners may find it hard to switch and demand the hard copy, considering which the authorities have kept a provision of maximum of two hard copies for now. “We will be discouraging the need for a hard copy. Eventually, we plan to go paperless and hope to discontinue the provision of two hard copies as well,” said an official.

Earlier, a committee was formed to consider the demand for the digital evaluation of PhD thesis. The committee recently finalised an early November date after which the scholars will be asked to get the thesis copy uploaded on the software. “The software was developed earlier. It was facing some glitches which have been cleared now. We are awaiting a final nod from the vice-chancellor regarding the launch date,” said an official, who is part of the committee.

Going paperless

At present, PhD students submit around four to seven hard copies of their thesis. This practice will soon be done away with. After online submission, examiners will have to evaluate thesis within a stipulated time