Open different routes to get a PhD ?need of the hour

Abstract

The only source of knowledge is experience ?Albert Einstein

Pakistan is badly in need of PhD teachers in basic medical sciences (BMS). The rate of production of PhD, especially in Physiology in our country is very low. There are many internationally accepted ways to get a PhD, some are suitable for international students. France, a developed European country, started VAE program in 2002 to incentivize productive and effective people in any field through awarding higher degrees, even PhDs, on the basis of their work and experience in the relevant field. To compensate for the acute shortage of faculty in BMS subjects, we should discover some out of the box solution. Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) should recognize the internationally accepted degrees in BMS subjects with a lenient policy. Medical Universities should legalize, even if on one-time basis, awarding PhDs to the senior M. Phil Professors. Universities should formulate some criteria, e.g., an M. Phil Professor with 20 years teaching experience and 20 research papers may be granted PhD in his subject. Seats of PGRs may be reserved for students of PhD in different BMS subjects in CIP induction policy in Punjab. Two PGRs may be allocated to each PhD teacher for teaching, training, and guidance in research and thesis writing while the university should conduct examinations and thesis defence of these students.

Pak J Physiol 2020;16(2):1–2