Since the beginning of the pandemic, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been extending the deadline for the submission of dissertations for undergraduate and graduate students. While the Commission argues that this is a step taken to help students take PhD and MPhil courses and relieve stress from their shoulders, scientists and researchers say otherwise.
The Indian National Academy of Young Sciences (INYAS) in its recent report argues that the main problems that remain in the minds of researchers include the interruption of laboratory work, the interruption of scholarships and unfinished experimental work on manuscripts. For the longest time, researchers have not had access to laboratories or limited access due to the pandemic.
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Experiments that are crucial to achieving all the goals of their dissertation, or revisions requested by reviewers, are delayed late. Few researchers have also submitted a dissertation without completing their work. According to the report, most students believe the pandemic affected their post-graduate plans.
While enlargement can be beneficial, the vast majority of researchers believe that in fact the biggest problem for researchers is the reduction of funds: 42.8 percent of researchers say that reducing the fund is a key issue. Among those who received funds, 14.6% received funds in part, and 28.2% said they did not receive funds at all during the pandemic, according to the report.
Vicki, a researcher at IIT-Delhi, told News18.com that the biggest loss for researchers was the lack of autopsies. “Scientists have traveled to other countries for international conferences and research before the pandemic. Interacting with foreign researchers on the same topic has been extremely useful for the study. Due to the pandemic this part is missing. I hope it will happen soon. “
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Although the pandemic caused a delay that led to a longer time for the researcher to get his or her PhD, scientists receive funds or scholarships for five years as before. However, after the pandemic, the government should consider expanding the scholarship. This will undoubtedly help scientists conduct research without stress, he said.
As a current deadline, universities and higher education institutions may once again extend up to six months after June 30 to submit a master’s or doctoral dissertation in each case after reviewing the student’s work by a research advisory committee. and on the recommendation of the head and head of the department.
The first extension was granted in June and lasted every six months due to the situation with COVID-19.
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