No V-C in Madras Univ, PhD scholars' future darkens

THE PhD students of the University of Madras are up against the wall with delay in conducting viva voce and awarding degrees as the vicechancellor post of the varsity has been vacant since last August.

-  BINITA JAISWAL

Though the absence of a vicechancellor has been affecting numerous activities in the university, PhD scholars are allegedly the worst hit as many of them are losing chances to apply for post-doctoral studies and join the workforce as they are not getting the degrees on time.

K Prakash(name changed), who was pursuing PhD in Psychology from the university, completed his thesis in December 2023. However, his viva voce was only held this April. On top of that, he is yet to receive his provisional PhD degree. "My viva voce was delayed by almost four months and it took another month to get my degree. Usually, we will get the degree letter a week after the viva voce. But due to the absence of a VC, all processes in the university are delayed," said Prakash.