Patna: Governor-cum-chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain on Monday directed a comprehensive audit of PhD seats and research supervision capacity at Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU), stressing that the number of seats must correspond to the availability and prescribed capacity of qualified research supervisors.Governor reviewed the PhD Admission Test-24 seats, announced by the university, and the availability of supervisors in different subjects during a meeting with LNMU vice-chancellor Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary.The VC explained the reasons behind the increase in PhD seats. Governor, however, said seat allocation should take into account the number of scholars already working under each supervisor and the number of additional scholars they could guide under prescribed norms.He emphasised that the process of determining PhD seats must be transparent, clear and fact-based, requiring an accurate assessment of the actual research supervision capacity in every department and subject.Governor directed the constitution of a PhD Audit Committee to undertake a comprehensive review and submit its report within 15 days. The committee will examine whether the advertised seats match the actual supervisory capacity and whether the admission process conforms to applicable rules, regulations and prescribed standards.Meanwhile, a joint delegation of students from Patna University and Patliputra University met Governor at Lok Bhavan and apprised him of various pending issues concerning students and the two universities. Governor assured the students that appropriate action would be taken to address their grievances.
