Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A section of PhD candidates at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (Bamu) has alleged that staff members in the university’s PhD section demand bribes and deliberately delay academic processes, including thesis submission and evaluation-related formalities.
Candidates claim they are forced to make repeated visits to the section and face harassment if they refuse to pay money. “We have to make multiple visits to the PhD section and some staffers demand Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 to speed up pending work. Those unwilling to pay are often asked to come again on one pretext or another,” alleged a PhD scholar in microbiology.
Another candidate pursuing a PhD in environmental science claimed that such practices have become routine. “Bribery and harassment have become a norm at the PhD section. Research scholars are already burdened with academic work and such a toxic atmosphere only adds to their difficulties,” he said.
The allegations have drawn strong criticism from members of the university senate.
Narendra Kale, a Bamu senate member, alleged that some staffers create unnecessary hurdles in thesis submission and forwarding dissertations to external experts.
“As per many candidates, unnecessary delays and hurdles are created in submitting theses and sending them to experts. Candidates are afraid of raising their voice against such staffers,” Kale said, warning that an agitation would be launched if the situation was not addressed.
Bamu offers PhD programmes in more than 30 subjects across its four faculties and witnesses a large number of aspirants appearing for its entrance examinations every year.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Vijay Phulari did not respond to requests for comment.
