The admission procedure at Jamia Millia Islamia’s AJK Mass Communication and Research Centre has left at least 8 PhD candidates in dismay as they decry “discrepancy” around the admission process and allege being “denied” admission at the last moment on September 12.
At least 8 PhD candidates have claimed that they qualified for both written and oral examinations but were denied admission at the last moment despite being selected in the final list uploaded on the university’s official website on August 11, 2022.
As per the list and official circular, 19 students were called on September 12 to complete the final formalities of admission into the PhD programme of Mass Communication for the session 2022.
Upon reaching the department for admission, the students were notified that a new list has been uploaded dropping 8 candidates, without citing any reasons.
The candidates seeking admission into the PhD programme have been raising concerns over the lack of clarity but the administration has not responded yet.
A student who was denied admission told The Cognate, “As notified by the university, I reached the department to complete the formalities of my admission but the official kept all the students waiting till 3 pm. Students then tried to speak to the official in the admission section and they said that the final list is yet to come from the controller of examination.”
Alarmed by such a response, the student said, “All the students came here based on the ‘selected list of students for admission’, which is uploaded on the website then what do they mean by final list? We, 19 students were called for the admission and verification of documents and now they are dropping names of 8 students.”
The troubled student said, “what am I supposed to do now? I have passed the entire admission procedure and now they are changing the list in front of our eyes. I am not going home without taking admission.”
Another student alleged, “When we went to the office to enquire about the delay in admission formalities, we were pushed out from the office and a new list was posted on the department’s notice board.”
The earlier list of selected candidates having entrance roll numbers of 19 students is still available on the varsity’s website.
Like any other central university, Jamia Millia Islamia also follows a due process for admission in the PhD programme where the university first notifies the list of available seats in each course and then a schedule for admission is officially announced.
A written examination, presentation and a personal interview are conducted by the university to select the students and based on the students’ performance a final list is released by the students.
Students are informed through the university’s website and are expected to complete the admission and get their documents verified as a requirement of admission on the scheduled date.
Candidates who have qualified NET/JRF are exempted from written tests and are only required to appear in interviews.
The Cognate tried to reach the JMI’s administration and Mass communication department regarding the issue but no response could be sought despite several calls.
If not given any proper justification, students are expected to protest on campus as their last resort.
