Excuse me and pardon my ignorance... but isnt a degree like a PhD an award given out in recognition for effort put in research? If yes, how can the recognition of the effort have a shelf life? Even if the research after a decade becomes obselete, does that take away the effort put in in the first place?
There has to be some differnce between an intellectually stimulated effort and technology/science fast becoming obselete due to R&D.
RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by Joseph Abraham on Jan 18, 2008 08:07 PM Permalink
Munish thinks he holds a special PhD degree. Dont be silly sir
RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by SOUMEN BARIK on Jan 18, 2008 08:21 PM Permalink
My statement is that the author said it is absolutely true. According to recent survey the no of jurnals or paper published by china is three times than india, but the picture was the reverse just three year ago.People are not comming for phd because they are feeling in secure because first the comsentation paid is not enough and there is no surety that phd will complete with in some due date.So lot of meritorous students are going to industry instead of remains passion on phd.If we need to improve our quality level then we must provide better accomodation for phd and if we want think it as egree then it should have a limit otherwise it is not possible for general meritorious student to go for phd, If it is going on then some mad people will go for phd. whose have no financial problem also.).Our Indian Gov should think about that. This is a very big problem in India..
RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by Munish Oberoi on Jan 18, 2008 07:55 PM Permalink
how will you then one guy who did his phd 20 years ago and did not publish any significant paper in these 20 years and another guy who did his phd 15 years back and has continually published good papers over the years?
RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by viswanatha seshadri on Jan 18, 2008 08:30 PM Permalink
You considerv the PhD thesis, along with subsequent publications, teaching experience, research projects, patents .. all things in selections at interviews.
RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by Kittappa on Jan 18, 2008 07:57 PM Permalink
people who are interested in such people know how to compare. For example, Google hires a lot of PhDs, they know what they want and they can distinguish between people
RE:RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by Munish Oberoi on Jan 18, 2008 08:01 PM Permalink
In India 90% fo the Ph.Ds are done to get a JOB. Whereas the real aim of a Ph.D. should be to "SIGNIFICANTLY" extend the frontiers of human knowledge.
Tell me how many of the hundreds of Ph.D theses coming out of India every year are REALLY aimed at "SIGNIFICANTLY" extending the frontiers of human knowledge?
Most of these Ph.Ds are what are known in the post-doctoral circles as - ghas-phus Ph.Ds - you mix a few leaves/chemicals and you have a Ph.D thesis cooked up by your guide.
Tell me of the several hundred Ph.D. scholars coming out every year in India how many really do their Ph.D. to really discover/invent someting new or significantly extent the frontiers of human knowledge, don't most of them do it for getting a JOB?
How many of these Ph.Ds then go on to do any meaningful contribution to the body of scientific knowledge as post doctoral fellows?
RE:RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by Munish Oberoi on Jan 18, 2008 08:01 PM Permalink
I am talking about the relevency of that PhD earned 20 years back... is that fellow still god enough?
RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by jai sreedhar on Jan 18, 2008 07:58 PM Permalink
Well mate, your first guy was AWARDED a PhD for the effort he put in 20 years ago. Did you tell him that not continuing his research or not contibuting further will strip him of this- No. Viv Richards stopped batting a decade ago- he was knighted for his skills with a bat. Do we de-knight him since he is not playing anymore.
RE:RE:Wait a minute! Are we missing the point...
by jai sreedhar on Jan 18, 2008 08:09 PM Permalink
No really. A. You are questioning a system. If people are getting a PhD for a job then its the system and not the guy who is at fault. Here let us assume the guy who did his PhD was a decent intellect who worked it out. B. People are awarded on the basis of what they have accomplished NOT on the basis of their current contribution.
Also pray define what is a 'meaningful contribution'. The bulb Edison lit a century and half ago may not be the same one adoring your drawing room... we have moved on from basic incandecent lights- but for the effort he put in we would perhaps contribute to the petrolium crisis by still lighting lamps.
No one uses the technology of the Ford Model-T anymore, is Henry Fords contribution less significant?
Let us please give people their due recognition for effort.
