PGI Chandigarh bars PhD students from attending more than one conference a year, participating in events outside institute

Chandigarh: In a move that might restrict the exposure available for the PhD students, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh has recently announced its decision of barring PhD students to allow more than one National or International conference in a year during their tenure.

Apart from this, the institute has also made it clear that PhD students  will not be allowed to attend any academic event outside the institute beyond five years. The Institute took this decision on the basis of the recommendations of the Committee that had been set up for discussing the matter.

Issuing a circular in this regard, the Dean of the Institute mentioned, "On the recommendations of the committee constituted to discuss the matter of attending conference(s) by the PhD students during their extended period of PhD registration and further approved by the Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh, It is for the information of all the Heads of teaching Departments that the PhD candidates are allowed to attend only one conference (National/International) in a year during their tenure of PhD registration maximum up to 5 years or as long as fellowship/stipend is received- whichever is earlier."

"The PhD candidates will not be allowed to attend any conference or any academic event/activities outside the Institute beyond five years," further read the circular.

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Taking part in conferences and academic events is an essential part of the research work of PhD students as it helps them stay updated with the latest developments in their respective fields of study.

As per the latest media report by The Tribune, the order has raised concerns regarding the autonomy of the PhD students for taking a decision regarding the direction of research work since their attendance at academic events outside the institute has now been restricted. Terming it to be unfair, several PhD students have called for a review of the order and also for more flexible policies that will permit them to attend academic events and conferences without any such restrictions.

They have argued that flexibility in this regard will not only be beneficial for the research work of the students but it will also contribute to the overall academic environment of the institute. Tribune adds that the recent move of the institute allowing the PhD students choose their own guides was hailed by the student community.

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