Kathmandu, November 9:

The Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) course introduced by Tribhuwan University (TU) is meant to produce academicians and researchers rather than churning out graduates in the respective area, said Dr Mahindra Singh, TU Rector Speaking at a programme, “Why essence of MPhil prior to PhD?” organised by the Education Journalist Group in Kathmandu, Singh said there will be a generation shift in the TU in a couple of years and that the new generation needs to be more equipped and academically sound so as to lead the nation’s educational sector.

Singh said TU is looking to make MPhil or PhD mandatory for teaching the post-bachelors degree in TU. He added that the TU had finalised the introduction of post- graduate degree of one year in Police Science.

Dearth of researchers in management would be countered by MPhil in management introduced by TU, said Dev Raj Adhikari, MPhil Coordinator of Management, TU. Producing researchers is the objective of MPhil in management rather than fine tuning their managerial skills, he added.

TU professor Dr Bidhyadhar Koirala said MPhil was more of an academic or philosophical course rather than employment oriented. He said journals regarding recent knowledge, inadequate studies of related subjects on national issues are difficulties that MPhil students are facing at present.

Bal Chandra Luintel, associate professor at Kathmandu University, School of education, said MPhil is a platform for research. There is a gap between generations in educational academics and it might create problems if adequate manpower and academicians are not produced in time.

There are already 35 theses submitted to the School of Education at KU and 16 are on verge of being published. Dr Tirtha Parajuli, curriculum expert and professor at TU said that MPhil provides a “reflective way” of education rather than a “funnel method”. The major objective of MPhil introduced by TU is to create a base for future knowledge generation.