The Times of India – Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts continue to be an inspiration for citizens across the globe, as is visible in the enthusiasm of students from other countries who come to Panjab University for pursuing PhD from the department of Gandhian Studies.
In the last eight years, four foreign students have completed their research from the department. Another five have enrolled themselves for the course during the past year and eight have applied for the PhD course. Most of the foreign students interested in the doctorate course are from Iran.
Department’s chairperson Manohar Lal Sharma said the interest shown by foreign students in research had increased over the years.
Three Iranian and one student from Thailand have completed research in topics including ‘Community Development in Thailand – A Gandhian Perspective’, ‘Human Resource Management in the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979-2001)’ and ‘Impact of Globalization on Strategic Management with Special reference to World Trade in India’.
The chairperson further said five Iranian students had opted for PhD and their topics included ‘Gender and leadership patterns in organisations: A case student of Golestan Province, Iran’, ‘Women in Journalism: A comparative study of Iran and India’ and ‘Agriculture Insurance In India: A comparative study of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh’.
”All topics for PhD have Mahatma Gandhi as an important component and that’s the reason these are being pursued from this department,” he said.
Sharma said nine more Iranian student had approached the department to pursue PhD in Gandhian studies and their cases were under process. As soon the students complete formalities for research visas, they would join the department, he added.
As many as 30 students are pursuing PhD from the department, out of which five are foreigners. The foreign students who get fellowships from their country for research do not have to appear for the entrance test.
The department has also awarded MPhil degrees to two Koreans and one student from Thailand.
Commenting over more Iranian students coming to PU for research, Sharma said the embassy encourages youngsters to come to India for studies. ”Moreover, education is affordable in India,” he added.
One of the students who pursued PhD from the department, Hassan Ranriz, said, ”After carrying out research in the field of Gandhian studies, a lot of teaching opportunities open up abroad.”