JNTU-Hyderabad PhD supervisor post gets price tag, sparks row

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad has drawn criticism after its R&D Cell sought Rs 5,000 from private college faculty for PhD guideship recognition, triggering outrage among academics who say the move violates established university norms

Hyderabad: The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) – Hyderabad, the first technological university in the country, has put a price tag for the PhD guideship, allowing private faculty members to mentor research scholars for Rs 5,000.

The University’s Research and Development Cell recently issued a web note seeking applications from principals, professors, associate professors and assistant professors for recognition or renewal of PhD guideship for allotment of research scholars.

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The R&D Cell, which sought necessary documents and an affidavit executed on a non-judicial stamp paper, priced research scholar allotment at Rs 5,000. The applications are to be submitted on or before February 13 by 5 pm.

The controversial move has raised eyebrows among the academics, who said not just in the university’s history, but no varsity in the country ever offered such guideship recognition for faculty for money.

“No university in the country offers PhD supervisor positions for money. If money is involved, the university must extend research scholars to the applicant. Moreover, such provision is against the rules,” said an official requesting anonymity.

The applications, as per the web note, were invited as per the orders of Vice Chancellor Prof T Kishen Kumar Reddy. However, university official sources revealed that no such permission was accorded for charging Rs 5,000 for allotting research scholars to faculty members.

According to J Dileep of Students Protection Forum, the R&D Cell released the circular without approval of University authorities and Executive Council. “This rule is not there in any university in the country. We demand the University to initiate action against the officials concerned,” he said.

In addition, the registration notification did not go down well with employees who demanded the University to revoke it immediately. “Private professional colleges are not paying salaries to staff in time due to fee reimbursement arrears from the government. In this scenario, how can a faculty member afford to pay Rs 5,000 for PhD guideship? We demand the university to revoke the notice and continue the earlier practice of no fee,” said A Santosh Kumar, Telangana Schools Technical Colleges Employees Association.

While opening the PhD admissions to private affiliated colleges a few years ago, the JNTU-Hyderabad rolled out strict norms, including two years of teaching after PhD publication. It also mandated publication of a minimum of five papers, which are not related to PhD thesis, in reputed journals to be eligible for the supervisor position. Further, the applicant should continue six years of service in the same college.

“The University is looking into the issue,” a senior official said.