Mangaluru: The Mangalore University (MU) syndicate has proposed introducing PhD in the Tulu language and providing opportunities for transgender individuals to pursue doctoral studies. Additionally, the syndicate resolved to appoint eligible lecturers as PhD guides in several colleges under the university’s jurisdiction.These proposals were discussed during the past syndicate meetings and are currently awaiting a detailed response from the university.Raghuraj, a syndicate member who tabled the agenda on three proposals, told TOI that although MU is located in a region where Tulu is widely spoken and celebrated, there are limited academic research opportunities available at the university. He observed that the Tulu MA programme has only a limited number of students. “The proposal for a PhD is aimed at enabling those interested in research to pursue it, which will also benefit the growth of the local language. We have urged Mangalore University to introduce a PhD in Tulu, and officials have been asked to clarify whether this can be implemented under the statutes,” Raghuraj said.The second proposal calls for allowing members of the transgender community to pursue PhDs. “Education is the right of every individual, including transgender community. I have suggested that interested candidates from the community be given the opportunity to enrol in PhD programmes, based on their academic eligibility. The university statutes also provide scope to facilitate this,” he added.MU’s campus in Konaje is recognised as a postgraduate and research centre. However, with the majority of senior professors retiring, the campus lacks sufficient PhD guides. This shortage has deprived many PhD aspirants of opportunities. “With the help of the university, we are trying to reach out to experienced faculty from aided and private institutions and are also considering allowing eligible institutions to become research centres to guide PhD aspirants,” Raghuraj pointed out.
