Berhampur: Berhampur University has stopped fresh admissions in the PhD programme of English and Odia subjects due to a shortage of guides for research scholars. The authorities issued a notification in this regard on November 23.
The university has invited applications for 192 seats in 24 different subjects, including 44 seats — the highest in education — except for Odia and English. “We have invited applications for aspirants as per the availability of guides,” vice-chancellor Geetanjali Dash said.
In the Odia department, there are three regular teachers — a professor and two assistant professors — against the govt’s sanctioned strength of seven posts (one professor, two assistant professors and four associate professors).
A professor can guide eight research scholars, while an assistant and an associate professor can guide six and four scholars, respectively.
“Keeping in mind the demand of aspirants, we wanted to appoint two Odia teachers from affiliated colleges. But they did not show interest in acting as guides of the research scholars,” Dash added.
A similar situation exists in the English department. There are three teachers — a professor and two assistant professors — at present, against the sanctioned seven posts. “While the professor is going to retire in six months, the assistant professor is not eligible to guide scholars at the moment,” Satybrata Patra, deputy controller of exams, who looks after PhD admissions, said.
“Notwithstanding the demands of aspirants, registration for PhD in Odia and English could not be conducted due to the shortage of teachers-cum-guides for research scholars,” Patra added.