Month: August 2016

Why PhD in VTU is different and how to tackle Comprehensive Viva?

VTU or Visvesvaraya Technological University has 194 colleges and offers 28 disciplines in varied undergraduate courses. Also, it offers 71 disciplines in post graduate studies. It offers doctoral studies in both part-time as well as a full-time option. The university is famous for a relatively different PhD course structure that it follows. The PhD programme … Continue reading “Why PhD in VTU is different and how to tackle Comprehensive Viva?”

VTU or Visvesvaraya Technological University has 194 colleges and offers 28 disciplines in varied undergraduate courses. Also, it offers 71 disciplines in post graduate studies. It offers doctoral studies in both part-time as well as a full-time option. The university is famous for a relatively different PhD course structure that it follows. The PhD programme here is split into different stages. What is different here is that, at the beginning of the II Part of the programme, which is followed by the course work in the previous part, the scholar is expected to face the comprehensive VIVA VOCE.

 This Comprehensive VIVA is slightly different from other universities and has the following details:

The scholar is expected to submit a written request for the conduct of the same within a span of maximum six months from the completion of the course work in Part I of the programme. A further extension of 6 months may be requested by the scholar with due approval of the research guide, in the case of any health related issues.

The research centre of the university has the responsibility or organising the comprehensive VIVA in consultation with the doctoral committee. It usually gets scheduled within the span of one month of the request submitted by the scholar. It is a tough closed door examination which includes the members of the doctoral committee, other than the scholar, and the research supervisor. The doctoral committee has the right to invite examiners also if the research guide has recommended any specialist or expert in the area of study.

The scholar is expected to prepare a presentation on the research topic. It should include in detail the work done so far, and what is the proposed work for the future. The intention of the doctoral committee is to verify and ensure that the scholar is through with the fundamental concepts, and also has the know how to apply the knowledge for the smooth conduct of the research work.

You got to be prepared and thorough at tackling the comprehensive VIVA. Be very particular about having a good study on the existing literature in your area of study. Particularly the one that has been taken up in the past 3 years as this is where the new trends could be understood. You must also know where your study fits in to fill the gap that has been created by previous studies. Your research methodology should be elaborate and simplified to the extent that each stage should smoothly graduate to the next one. Have the justification ready for your chosen research tools and techniques as well.

When to quit a PhD programme? Would taking a break help?

Are you thinking of quitting your PhD programme?  Is it too stressing for you to handle? Don’t take a harsh decision, and first try to take a leave of absence. This break would help you to try and put your life back on the track, and explore options and opportunities you see outside the academia.  The … Continue reading “When to quit a PhD programme? Would taking a break help?”

Are you thinking of quitting your PhD programme?  Is it too stressing for you to handle? Don’t take a harsh decision, and first try to take a leave of absence. This break would help you to try and put your life back on the track, and explore options and opportunities you see outside the academia.  The break can be as long as one year to help you take a firm and calculated decision of whether you want to come back, or you are happy outside the world of doctoral studies.  If you decide to apply for leave of absence, ensure these few things:

  1. Never leave on a sour note and burn bridges with your supervisor or the university. You must always leave on convincing personal issues as a reason which have not much to do with the institute or your course
  2. Study the guidelines of the university thoroughly so that your absence from the course falls within the norms
  3. Utilise the break to evaluate your decision in a pragmatic way. Do not come back to the course half-heartedly. Come back only if you know it is your calling in life.

It is natural and expected to have ups and downs in the PhD programme, and one should be prepared for it. But, if you have some serious concerns, then it should be surely a decision to quit and not let your research life take over your personal success

  1. If you feel that you are becoming a victim of a psychological disorder that is going out of control, and lasting over a few weeks. There is no point to let things go out of control. It is always better to call it quits
  1. The demands from the programme, in context to finances, time and resources are challenging for you, and the kind of returns you see it bringing for you is not very exciting
  1. There are health issues that are increasing affecting your wellbeing. No achievement is worth enough to compromise with health, surely.

If you have so decided to quit the programme, make it your own individual decision and not something that is under the influence of n your family or friends. If you do so, again you would be dissatisfied, and feel difficulty accepting the life then after. So, be careful when you make your decision.