Not mandatory to publish in journals before final PhD thesis: UGC

 

According to the latest available report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the enrolment at PhD level increased from 1,26,451 to 2,02,550 (0.5 per cent of total enrolment in higher education) between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

IN NEW regulations for doctoral programmes notified Monday, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has scrapped the mandatory requirement of getting research papers published in peer-reviewed journals before the final submission of a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) thesis.

So far, it was mandatory for M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) scholars to present at least one research paper in a conference or seminar while PhD scholars had to publish at least one research paper in a refereed journal and make two paper presentations in conferences or seminars before the submission of their thesis for adjudication.

When contacted, Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairperson, UGC, said by scrapping the mandatory publication requirement, the higher education regulator has recognised that the “one-size-fits-all” approach is not desirable. Elaborating on the need to shun a common approach towards assessing all disciplines, he pointed out that many doctoral scholars in computer science prefer presenting their papers at conferences rather than publishing in journals.

But it does not mean Ph.D scholars should stop publication of research papers in peer-reviewed journals, he said. “Focussing on high-quality research will lead to publications in good journals, even if it is not mandatory. It will add value when they apply for employment or post-doctoral opportunities,” he told The Indian Express.

According to the latest available report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), the enrolment at PhD level increased from 1,26,451 to 2,02,550 (0.5 per cent of total enrolment in higher education) between 2015-16 and 2019-20.

In 2018, The Indian Express had published a series of investigative reports on how India has emerged as one of the biggest markets for sub-standard research journals with many doctoral candidates getting their papers published for a fee.

Following that, a four-member UGC committee chaired by P Balram, former Director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, had recommended that publication of research material in “predatory” journals or presentations in conferences organised by their publishers should not be considered for academic credit in any form.

In draft regulations floated in March this year, the UGC had proposed universities be allowed to draw up their own guidelines in this area. It also sought public feedback on replacing the term mandatory with “desirable”, but that clause has now been removed altogether under the final UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of PhD Degree) Regulations, 2022, notified on Monday.

The commission has also dropped its plan to make universities and colleges reserve at least 60 per cent of their annual intake of doctoral candidates for NET or JRF qualified students, according to the revised PhD regulations. In the draft regulations floated in March, the UGC had proposed that 60 per cent of the total vacant seats in an academic year in a higher education institution be drawn from NET/JRF qualified students.

The draft regulations had also envisaged a common entrance test for PhD admissions. This also does not find mention in the final version of the guidelines, which means that universities and colleges will remain free to admit students through NET/JRF as well as entrance exams without having to adhere to any cap for either of the two categories in line with the prevailing norms.

In cases where selection of candidates are through entrances conducted by the individual universities, a weightage of 70 per cent will be given to performance in the written test and 30 per cent to interview.

The final regulations, however, retain the provision of part-time PhDs that is primarily targeted at working professionals aspiring to obtain doctoral degrees. IITs already allow such programmes. “The Higher Educational Institution concerned shall obtain a No Objection Certificate through the candidate for a part-time PhD programme from the appropriate authority in the organisation where the candidate is employed…,” state the regulations.

Under the revised regulations, those joining PhD programmes after a four year UG programme can do so after a one-year master’s degree, while graduates of conventional three-year UG degrees need to have completed two year master’s degrees.

Candidates who have completed the M.Phil programmes with at least 55 per cent marks in aggregate also figure in the eligibility criteria. While the M.Phil programme will be phased out with the notification of the new rules, it will not have any bearing on M.Phil degree programmes which have already commenced.

To ensure quality of their output, earlier, research scholars had to appear before a Research Advisory Committee once in six months and present progress of their work for evaluation and further guidance. They will have to do so each semester now.

“I urge the universities to ensure that the PhD evaluation process is strengthened and research scholars are trained to publish in peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and apply for patents where feasible,” Prof Jagadesh Kumar said.

Written by Sourav Roy Barman

Source: Indian Express, 9/11/22

PM Modi unveils G20 logo: Significance of the lotus on it

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 presidency. The logo bears a lotus and the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Speaking at the launch via video conferencing, the PM said the lotus is a symbol of hope.

“The world is going through the after-effects of a disruptive once-in-a-century pandemic, conflicts and lot of economic uncertainty. The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in these times. No matter how adverse the circumstances, the lotus still blooms,” PM Modi said.India will assume the presidency of the powerful G20 grouping from the current chair, Indonesia, on December 1, and hold the post for a year. The G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10, 2023 in New Delhi.

Calling India the ‘mother of democracy’, PM Modi said India’s efforts will be to ensure that “there is no first world or third world, but only one world.”

Significance of the G20 logo

The PM said the logo is not just a symbol, but a message and a resolve. “This G20 logo is not just a symbol, it is a message, an emotion running through our veins. It is a resolve, which is now being included in our thoughts,” the Prime Minister said.

Elaborating, the Prime Minister said that the logo reflects our idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole earth is a family), because of which India has always believed in global harmony. “The lotus flower symbolises our Puranic heritage, our aastha (belief) and boddhikta (intellectualism),” he said.

What is G20

The G20 was formed in 1999 in the backdrop of the financial crisis of the late 1990s that hit East Asia and Southeast Asia in particular. Its aim was to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries. Its prominent members are: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, and the EU. Spain is invited as a permanent guest.

“G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation representing around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. During the course of its G20 Presidency, India will be holding about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple locations across India. The G20 Summit to be held next year, would be one of the highest profile international gatherings to be hosted by India,” the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a press release on Monday.

The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among members, and the country holding the presidency, together with the previous and next presidency-holder, forms the ‘Troika’ to ensure continuity of the G20 agenda.

During India’s presidency, India, Indonesia and Brazil will form the troika. “This would be the first time when the troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies,” a release by the Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said.

How does the G20 work?

The G20 has no permanent secretariat. The agenda and work are coordinated by representatives of the G20 countries, known as ‘Sherpas’, who work together with the finance ministers and governors of the central banks. India has announced that ex-NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant would be the G20 Sherpa after Piyush Goyal.

“On the advice of the G7 Finance Ministers, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors began holding meetings to discuss the response to the global financial crisis that occurred,” the G20 website says. Since 1999, an annual meeting of finance ministers has taken place.

The first G20 Summit took place in 2008 in Washington DC, US. In addition to Summits, the Sherpa meetings (that help in negotiations and building consensus), and other events are also organised throughout the year. Each year, the presidency invites guest countries.

Source: Indian Express, 8/11/22

What an Oxfam report says about carbon emissions of the world’s richest people

 

The report said that on average, billionaires are responsible for emitting “3 million tonnes” of carbon a year, which is “more than a million times the average for someone in the bottom 90% of humanity.” Here is how it reached its conclusions.

An Oxfam report titled, Carbon Billionaires: The investment emissions of the world’s richest people, has said the world’s richest people emit “unsustainable amounts of carbon,” as compared with an ordinary person. 

This report is based on the fact that every human on Earth has a carbon footprint, which can be divided into “personal consumption emissions, emissions through government spending and emissions linked to investments.”

What does the Oxfam report say?

An analysis of the investments of 125 of the world’s richest billionaires was conducted by Oxfam International, and the report was published this November. It demonstrated that on average, billionaires are responsible for emitting “3 million tonnes” of carbon a year, which is, “more than a million times the average for someone in the bottom 90% of humanity.” 

It further found out that the 125 billionaires taken as a sample fund about 393 million tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per year. This is equivalent to the “annual carbon emissions of France,” which is a nation of 67 million people. 

In comparison, it said, “it would take 1.8 million cows to emit the same levels of CO2e as each of the 125 billionaires,” and “almost four million people would have to go vegan to offset the emissions of each of the billionaires.”

How was the research conducted?

Oxfam listed the 220 richest people in the world, based on Bloomberg Billionaire List (August 2022), and obtained emissions data from data provider Exerica. It then identified the ownership of these billionaires in corporations and their emissions

Scope 1 emissions: These are a direct result of the company’s operations.

Scope 2 emissions: They constitute indirect emissions, for example, energy to operate machines.

Scope 3 emissions are other indirect emissions such as those resulting from a company’s supply chains. 

To focus on investments and sectors where billionaires have a massive influence, their final research database involved 183 corporates, with investments by 125 billionaires worth $2.4 trillion. They utilised the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, which “provides the world’s most widely used GHG accounting standards”, to calculate the carbon footprint of these companies. 

Why does the report matter?

The report comes at a time when discussions to meet the globally agreed target of limiting the world’s temperature to below 1.5℃ is underway at COP 27 in Egypt and has significant implications for climate policymaking. It takes a critical look at the relationship between economic inequality and climate crisis.

The idea is that since billionaires hold significant wealth and stakes in globally recognised corporations, they hold the power to influence the ways in which those corporations behave. As people from low and middle-income backgrounds do not exercise much control over their energy choices, the report says it is imperative for world leaders to ensure that “those who emit the most carbon also do the most to reduce those emissions.”

One can also gauge the ways in which the conduct of investors in the global economy impacts our environment. The decisions made by the investors — whether to invest in corporations failing to reduce carbon emissions, or to fund fossil fuel and similar industries — can further determine the intensity of future emissions. 

What are billionaires’ ‘personal consumption emissions’?

Apart from investments by billionaires, their personal consumption also adds up. For example, in 2018, emissions from the private yachts, planes, helicopters and mansions of 20 billionaires generated, on average, about 8,194 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂e). As evident in the billionaire space race, a single space flight can emit as much carbon dioxide as a normal person will in their lifetime, the report highlighted.

In 2021, research conducted by Oxfam and the Stockholm Environment Institute revealed: “The richest 1 per cent (around 63 million people) alone were responsible for 15 per cent of cumulative emissions and that they were emitting 35 times the level of CO₂e compatible with the 1.5°C by 2030 goal of the Paris Agreement.”

What can be done to curb their carbon footprint?

Corporations are failing to cut emissions and avert climate change, as per the report. To make the 2050 climate change plans of ‘net-zero’ total carbon emissions, they are heavily relying on using land in low-income countries to plant trees but the report points out some flaws in that plan. “In 2021 Oxfam revealed that using land alone to remove the world’s carbon emissions to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2050 would require at least 1.6bn hectares of new forests, an area equivalent to five times the size of India,” it said.

“At present,” the report states, “no state in the world compels corporates to reduce their carbon footprints.” It is the responsibility of governments to create climate policies that work towards green transition, mainly, through the regulation of corporate investments in highly polluting industries. 

They should aim to set strong and binding science-based GHG reduction targets and demand greater transparency. Governments should also include workers’ rights, protection of their livelihoods and that of marginalised communities who are adversely affected by climate change in policy decisions.

Most importantly, the report suggests that a wealth tax on the richest could aid the urgent climate finance needs of developing countries and “raise hundreds of billions of dollars to help and protect those already suffering the impacts of catastrophic climate change.”

Written by Ariba

Source: Indian Express, 8/11/22

Quote of the Day November 7, 2022

 

“Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”
Leo Buscaglia

“आपकी प्रतिभा, आपको भगवान का दिया गया उपहार है। आप इसके साथ क्या करते हैं, यह आपके द्वारा भगवान को दिया गया उपहार होता है।”
लियो बुसकैजलिया

Current Affairs-November 7, 2022

 

INDIA

– Assembly bypoll results: BJP bags 4 out of 7 seats; TRS, Shiv Sena, RJD get one each

– Education Ministry to celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in schools, colleges on Nov 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda (15 November 1875 – 9 June 1900)

– Assam, Meghalaya to work jointly to transform Umiam lake: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– Govt. allows export of sugar upto 60 Lakh Metric Tonnes during sugar season 2022-23

– Tirupati’s Lord Venkateswara temple declares net worth of over Rs 2.5 lakh crore

– Reliance Industries Ltd India’s best employer, in top 20 worldwide: Forbes

WORLD

– UN Climate Change Conference COP27 opens in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt with key aim of ensuring full implementation of Paris Agreement

– India votes in favour Russia’s UN resolution on combating Nazism & neo-Nazism

– International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict observed on November 6

SPORTS

– T20 World Cup: Pakistan enter semifinals by defeating Bangladesh by five wickets in Adelaide

– T20 World Cup: India enter semifinals by defeating Zimbabwe by 71 runs in Melbourne

– Mumbai (146/7 in 19.3 overs) win Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament, beat Himachal Pradesh (143/8 in 20 overs) in final at Kolkata

– Pramod Bhagat, Manisha Ramadass bag gold at BWF Para Badminton World Championships in Tokyo

Current Affairs-November 6, 2022

 

INDIA

– Guyana President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to be chief guest at 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at Indore (MP) on Jan 8-10

– Maritime Partnership Exercise held between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy in Bay of Bengal

– Independent India’s first-ever voter Shyam Saran Negi dies at 106 in Himachal Pradesh

– Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar on official visit to Japan from Nov 5-9

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– IPPB conducts India’s First Floating Financial Literacy Camp in Dal Lake of Srinagar, J&K

– Tourism Ministry to participate in World Travel Market in London on Nov 7-9

WORLD

– World Tsunami Awareness Day observed on Nov 5; marks Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004

SPORTS

– India’s R. Praggnanandhaa wins Asian Continental Chess championship in New Delhi

Education 4.0 Report: Digitally Bridging the Learning Gap

 Technology has profoundly changed education. It has not only expanded access to education but also made information available at one’s fingertips. It has grown into a powerful tool that has transformed education in several ways, from increasing student engagement, collaboration and interactivity to improving overall comprehension, time management and student-centred teaching. With the worldwide reach of the Internet, it has created a new environment of ‘anytime anywhere education’.

Digital teaching and learning – a concept that was still considered ‘futuristic’ a little while ago have also become customary in the fast-evolving post-pandemic world. During the pandemic, it proved to be the only feasible way to keep the education system going but at the same time, it also highlighted some issues, including digital inequality and learning gaps.

With the aim of addressing these issues through digital learning, the World Economic Forum collaborated with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India) to launch the Education 4.0 India initiative. Under four themes – foundational literacy and numeracy, teacher professional development, school-to-work transition and connecting the unconnected –, the report aims to address the disparities in the country’s education system by exploring its challenges and identifying solutions that can be realised as scalable interventions. It complements India's National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) by providing a framework for the development of scalable pilots that can be implemented by state governments and other stakeholders.

It proposes a roadmap to improve the country’s education system and urges all stakeholders in the EdTech space to work together and help this overarching transformation along. It encourages interactive teaching and learning and the integration of collaborative and skill-based education. It advocates the increased use of storytelling, interactive content, read-aloud games, quizzes and flip books (to name only a few) to make the learning process more interesting, individualised and engaging for students. It also highlights the importance of digitalising the country’s education system to become future-ready.

Digital Tools Can Reduce Learning Gaps

While the digital learning gap has been widening over the last few decades and spreading throughout the schools of India, it took COVID-19 to truly understand the magnitude of these inequalities. Closing this divide in education will take time, effort and commitment not only from the part of government but also from the part of schools, parents and students.

According to the Education 4.0 Report, one way of achieving equity could be through the digital transformation of the Indian schooling system. Fortunately, the pandemic didn’t only reveal the digital divide but also the benefits of distance teaching and learning.

Many believe that digitalising the country’s education system would help reduce the country’s learning inequalities by making education accessible to a large number of students. In addition to making it possible for students to access learning anytime and from anywhere, digital education would also enable them to learn at their own pace.

Digital Education: Reaching the Unreachable

One of the significant advantages of digital learning is that it is accessible at all times, anywhere and everywhere. It can be conducted online and offline and can be successfully used to deliver synchronous and asynchronous education.

Due to its very nature – provided via digital technology – this type of education can accommodate larger class sizes and bridge geographical gaps between teachers and students. As a result, it can provide everyone, including students attending schools in remote areas, with access to education.

Aarul Malviya

Source: The Telegraph, 31/10/22