Seven departments in six colleges to get University of Madras Syndicate nod to start PhD programs

When the University of Madras (UoM) Syndicate meets on Thursday, its priority would be to grant recognition to seven departments in various affiliated colleges as research departments to facilitate PhD programmes.

Committees set up by the university inspected the affected workplaces between December 2025 and June 2026. Their reports found that the institutions ticked all the boxes related to the eligibility criteria, including the provision of libraries with adequate books, journals and internet access, laboratories with adequate equipment in the case of science and technology disciplines and at least two persons with Ph.D qualifications in the department’s research area.

Departments in line for this recognition include the Department of Management Studies, Asan Memorial College of Arts and Science, Jalladianpet; Department of Biotechnology and Department of Social Work, DG Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam; Departments of Computer Science at Guru Nanak College, Velachery, and Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women, T.Nagar; Department of Biotechnology, Valliammal College for Women, Anna Nagar East; and Department of Mathematics, Women’s Christian College, Nungambakkam.

The Ph.D will be awarded posthumously

The members of the Syndicate would also consider awarding the Ph.D to the candidate posthumously. Sources said that J. Divya, who was pursuing her Ph.D in the Department of Social Work, Madras School of Social Work, died on August 13, 2024, after submitting her dissertation.

The diploma thesis was entitled Perceived social support and need satisfaction as predictors of resilience in adolescence. After her death, her husband reportedly wrote to her supervisor asking him to hand over her thesis. Subsequently, it was submitted to the examination board, which approved the thesis for the award of the Ph.D. The same was communicated to the University and the Vice-Chancellor’s Convening Committee approved the March 2026 Examination Board report.

Published – 5 Nov 2026 06:00 IST