Dhaka:A significant number of students enrolled in the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) research programme at Dhaka University (DU) are unable to complete their degrees, with financial constraints and inadequate research incentives being cited as major contributing factors.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, an analysis of admission and graduation records reveals that only about 27 percent of students in the MPhil programme have completed their degrees, while 73 percent have not graduated within the expected timeframe. Between the 2014-2015 and 2021-2022 academic sessions, 1,767 students enrolled, but only 471 successfully finished their degrees.
Prof Emeritus Dr. Anwarullah Chowdhury, a former Vice-Chancellor of DU, highlighted socio-economic pressures that force students to choose employment over academia. He emphasized the necessity of financial incentives and increased research grants to encourage students to remain committed to their MPhil studies.
DU's revised MPhil admission guidelines state that the programme spans two years, with the first year for coursework and the second for thesis work. The registration validity has been reduced to three years. Data shows varying completion rates across different sessions, with a notable improvement in the 2021-2022 session, where all 64 students graduated.
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof Dr. Abdus Salam acknowledged that while some students complete their degrees on time, many do not, and the university is considering measures to enhance the programme's effectiveness. Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury also noted a waning interest in the programme from both students and faculty, urging comprehensive actions from the university to revitalize the MPhil programme.