New VC recommends setting targets for PhD output

October 21, 2014 10:11 am | Updated May 23, 2016 04:09 pm IST - KOCHI

Dr. J. Letha, who took charge as the vice chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology on Monday. - Photo: K.K Mustafah

Dr. J. Letha, who took charge as the vice chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology on Monday. - Photo: K.K Mustafah

: If all goes as per the ambitious plan of the new vice chancellor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), research departments will soon work towards generating a set target of PhDs annually. A few hours after she assumed office on Monday, J. Letha, the first woman head of the varsity, told The Hindu that every centre/research department on the campus should have a mandatory target [of PhDs] every year.

Stating that boosting research potential of Cusat was among her top priorities, Dr. Letha recalled that prestigious institutions like the IITs generally set a target to achieve a fixed number of PhDs a year. “Why can’t we do it here?” she asked while pointing out that varsity departments could increase the number of PhDs by at least 20 per cent.

Suggesting that every centre should have at least three or four sponsored projects, she said that research should flourish in the varsity. “A periodic review would be carried out to assess the performance of each department in getting funding from agencies,” she said.

The new vice-chancellor envisaged setting up new centres in cutting-edge areas including nano-science, bio-science and bio-informatics in the coming months. She also said that the Inter-university Centre for Intellectual Property Rights could be upgraded in to a Centre for International Collaboration by clubbing IPR studies and international relations.

Dr. Letha refused to comment on the political ramifications of her appointment, especially within the Congress while saying that “everyone has the right to air their views”.

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