How to ensure timely conclusion of doctoral programmes, by don

To address delays in the completion of doctoral programmes, universities must create a database of students on the programme and come up with policies that would ensure timely completion by those concerned.

Citing the case of a research student who allegedly registered for a doctoral degree in 1994 and was unable to complete it before he committed suicide in 2019, the vice chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Abel Olayinka, said adequate monitoring and tracking of progress is imperative to guarantee early completion.

Besides, Olayinka said institutions must provide holistic health care services that do not focus only on physical health and fitness but also on mental health in the workplace.

The university administrator who spoke on repositioning the narratives of PG education for national development, added that institutions should generate database of staff that have been on their PhD programmes for more than four years, identify their challenges and proffer necessary solutions.

He also advocated stronger policies on staff engagement; disengagement, health and housing.“in order for us to remain relevant, the postgraduate programmes in our universities have to be continuously strengthened. This is a veritable way to increase the creation of new knowledge for the benefit of society. Postgraduate education is an integral part of the essence of a university, hence, there is need for synergy between the leadership of the postgraduate school and the central university administration,” Olayinka added.

In his remarks, the dean of postgraduate studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Solomon Akinboye, said the programme was designed for provosts and deans of the various institutions post graduate schools’ to rub minds and share ideas on the best practices to be adopted in the administration of postgraduate studies in the country to ensure that international best practices are complied with.He said, “The ultimate objective is o ensure that our graduates can compete favourably with their counterparts.”