PROBLEMS IN PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITIES OF PUNJAB: VIEWS OF PHD SCHOLARS

The purpose of the study was to identify the problems of PhD research scholars in the public universities of Punjab, Pakistan. It was a qualitative study in nature. The study was conducted on a sample of 50 PhD (Education) scholars of three public sector universities. Semi-structured interview was designed to collect data about students’ problems regarding PhD research facilitation, library, and online access to learning material, physical and financial aspects. The data was analyzed by descriptive coding technique. The study reveals that PhD scholars face diversified problems related to financial support, hostel facility, research knowledge, weak verbal and written English communication, research competencies of supervisors, inadequate advisor-advisee meetings, politics of staff, weak communication between supervisor and supervisee, inadequate access to online and IT resources, and provision of the latest books in the libraries. The study suggests that there should be time line in submission of research synopsis and the final project. There must also be an adequate increase in the online learning resources. The libraries should be equipped with the latest books and journals of good repute.