Tribhuvan University Sets New Strict Eligibility Criteria for PhD Supervisors

Kathmandu. Tribhuvan University has issued a PhD directive setting new and strict eligibility criteria for supervisors.

According to the new rules, to become a PhD supervisor at TU, one must be a permanent teacher with a PhD degree.

As mentioned in the directive, only faculty members working as professors, associate professors, or assistant professors in the concerned central departments, constituent campuses, or schools, and who have obtained their PhD degree at least three years before starting supervision, will be eligible.

Academic research and work experience are given special emphasis for supervisors. According to the new system, supervisors must have at least 5 research articles published in listed or star-rated journals.

The authority to set minimum standards for national language and culture subjects has been given to the Faculty Board of the concerned Dean's office. Additionally, there is a provision that one must have at least 5 years of teaching or research experience in TU or other universities, institutes, or research centers recognized by TU.

The number of students a supervisor can guide at one time has also been determined. Accordingly, professors can supervise a maximum of 5 students, associate professors 4, and assistant professors a maximum of 3 PhD students.

Although supervisors can be accepted from other universities or research centers for joint degree programs as per the Memorandum of Understanding, TU supervisors will be the 'main supervisors'. In such a situation, it has been clarified that students must fully comply with TU's rules and discipline.

Supervisors who were already supervising before the implementation of the new criteria but do not meet the specified eligibility will be given the facility to continue with their old students.