Sindh University scraps MPhil-to-PhD programme

JAMSHORO: The University of Sindh has decided it will no longer allow students to convert their MPhil programmes to PhD degree programmes and candidates are now bound to finish them separately. The decision was taken at the 15th meeting of the vice-chancellor’s executive council on Tuesday.

VC Professor Dr Nazir A Mughal, who presided over the meeting, said the university is trying to create resources to generate funds so that it can meet challenges and provide quality higher education.

The council agreed to increase the registration fees for the MPhil and PhD programmes and discussed a policy. It was also decided that a list would be prepared of those faculty members who were on foreign scholarships so that the university could ensure that they came back after completing their PhD degrees.

Dr Mughal informed the council that the university received a letter from the Higher Education Commission, saying that they do not have funds for the development account. However, the Sindh government approved Rs20 million for the purchase of land for the SU campus in Dadu.

The SU director finance presented his report and said that the university has saved Rs95 million by cutting costs.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2010.