Grievance redressal cell for research scholars

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala University would soon constitute a grievance redressal cell for research scholars, taking into account the numerous issues faced by the community. The Syndicate has given the go-ahead for the setting up of the cell, which will have the Pro-Vice-Chancellor as convener and Research Director, Standing Committee for Research and Scholarships convener and two Syndicate representatives as members. The research scholars in the Kerala University had sought the intervention of the authorities to resolve the issues - right from getting JRF fellowships, drawbacks in the course work and pre-submission seminars to the decaying guide-student relationship. The Researchers’ Union had given a representation to the Standing Committee for Research and Scholarships listing their grievances.The Standing Committee has decided to consider holding the pre-submission seminar (now held in the University departments) at the respective research centres, which was one of the demands of the scholars. A proposal in this regard, agreed upon by the Committee and the Syndicate, has been forwarded to the Academic Council for approval. The Committee and the Syndicate have also decided to bring in major changes to the course work system, said P S Sreekala, convener of the Standing Committee.Classes for the research methodology paper will be held once in a month. The question papers will be set by the external hands and the evaluation will also be done by external people. An internal assessment for 25 marks will be introduced, while the rest has to be gained through written examination. “The new reforms have been sent to the consideration of the Academic Council,” said Sreekala. The University is also thinking of changing the structure of the doctoral committee, which approves the thesis. As of now, the guide is also the member of the doctoral committee, which is formed by teachers of the University department. A researcher, seeking a change of guide, is met with disappointment as the members of the doctoral committee often finds it impossible to side with the student and single out the guide who happens to be their colleague. A decision in this regard is being discussed by the University.