Probe begins into mass failure of researchers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala University has begun a probe into the unusual incident in which nearly one-third of the research scholars in the university, majority of them having JRF or other top academic qualifications, failing in the course work examinations.Forty-two of the 139 candidates who had appeared for the examination failed. Of them, 36 students belonged to the science stream comprising basic sciences, applied sciences and engineering and technology.Interestingly, all of these students failed in the research methodology paper. There were three papers for the course work examinations two papers relating to the subjects they have chosen for research and the common research methodology paper. Research scholars who had failed in the examinations included students from the university campus, affiliated colleges which are recognised research centres, institutions such as the National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) and VSSC.Sources said that the reason for the mass failure of science students was that the questions in the examinations were not pertaining to science research.The low rate of failure for other subjects in humanities, social sciences, arts and commerce streams prove this point.The Credit and Semester System (CSS) Office of the university conducted the course work examinations. CSS vicechairman A R Rajan told 'Express' that the high rate of failure was unnatural. However, this was the first time that the university conducted these examinations. The university is examining the reasons for the high rate of failure, he said. The course work examinations were introduced for research scholars in 2009 following the UGC regulations making it mandatory for all students being admitted to M Phil and PhD to pass an entrance test.As per the regulations, entrance test will be followed by an interview in which doctoral students will discuss their research topic. After admission to the PhD course, the students will have to do a course work for a minimum period of one semester.The course work is mandatory and will be treated as preM Phil/Ph D preparation. After the students complete the course work, they will undertake a research work and will have to make presentations at their departments for feedback.