INTRODUCTION

The program of PhD English offered at MY university has many unique features. PhD English is a 3–8-years program. A considerable effort has been put in making the program a representation of current trends in Literature. The main purpose of launching the PhD program is to contribute to the field of Literature through high quality research particularly focusing on current and future needs. Secondly, there is a high demand from teachers across Pakistan to have this program at the MY university platform through unconventional means of education. Thirdly, there are a high number of professional teachers working in different schools and colleges across the country who intend to enhance their professional qualifications and they find no such program offered by public or private universities for in job teachers.

Program Objectives

• To develop students’ insight into different literature theories and to enhance their critical and analytical skills to identify different issues surrounding them.
• To develop students’ understanding regarding research methodologies to explore the crucial issues in different branches of literature.
• To develop student understanding of multiple perspectives of interface of language, media, and discourse practices in society and to enable learners to incorporate technological features to facilitate literature research.
• To develop students’ insight into the current and emerging trends in literature and to enable them to make an original contribution to research in the field of literature.
• To enable ELT professionals and policy makers (related to languages and literature) to make informed decisions based on research.
• To promote evidence-based ELT practices using relevant local and foreign research studies.

Scope of the Program and Job Market

There is no such program being offered by any university, public or private is offering this program in a flexible mode of study, that could be affordable to on-job professionals, who cannot leave their homes and jobs for a long time for conventional mode of study. There are several academic and professional positions vacant in public and private universities and government colleges in this discipline owing to lack of specialized manpower having PhD qualifications. The fee package of many of the private universities offering this program is not affordable to many of the interested candidates. Therefore, the afore-mentioned circumstances demand this program to be offered at the MY university platform at the urgent basis.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• A graduate holding MS/MPhil in English (accredited by HEC and given equivalence of 18 years of schooling) in the relevant field or equivalent with minimum CGPA 3.00 (out of 4.0 in the Semester System) OR 1st Division (in the Annual System) is eligible to apply for admission in PhD Programme.
• GRE/GAT Subject or equivalent with 70% passing marks (as prescribed by HEC) at the time of admission.
•  In case of non-availability of GRE / GAT, departmental tests may be conducted as per HEC/MY rules followed by interview.
• Publication of research article(s) in HEC recognized journals will be preferred.
• The minimum duration of the PhD degree is six semesters (three years), and maximum duration shall be 16 semesters (eight years) as per HEC/MY rules.

SELECTION PROCESS

Interested candidates can apply for admission on prescribed form to the Chairman, Department of English.

Admission will be given strictly on merit and on approved criteria (as per HEC/MY rules).

In-service candidates shall be required to submit their departmental No Objection Certificate (NOC) along with their admission application.

Admission of PhD will be notified by the Director Admissions after the submission of receipt of admission dues.

DURATION of the Program

This program spans 3 to 8 years duration (as per MY/HEC rules), one year for course work and others for research writing and submission. The extensions in course work and thesis may be granted as per MY and HEC rules.

PhD Course work

There will be a two- semester PhD course work of 18 credit hours and a thesis of 12 credit hours. The semester-wise breakup of the courses is as under.

Research Proposal and Thesis (Third and Subsequent Semesters)

Third semester will begin with a 2-classes thesis /synopsis orientation workshop. Following the orientation workshop students will be given a stipulated time as per MY rules to prepare and submit their research proposal against the approved topic. New, innovative, and interdisciplinary research topics/ problems with reference to Pakistan will be emphasized. After approval of their research proposal via a committee as per MY procedure they would work on their thesis under the guidance of a research supervisor. The research supervisor may preferably be from the Department of English or may also be hired from other organizations/institutions as per MY approved rates and remuneration. The proposed list of internal/external members of research proposal review committee and thesis supervisors will be sent to the competent authority for approval, when needed. All other matters relating to thesis submission date, extension(s), evaluation/assessment, grading, and result/degree will be dealt with as per MY rules and guidelines.   

Seminars

There will be a series of seminars and workshops during the course work to provide an opportunity to the students and research scholars to develop and present their draft of research proposals and to share their understanding of course content with fellow students.

Thesis

A PhD Scholar is required to conduct research work under the supervision of an advisor having PhD degree in the relevant field (as per relevant HEC/MY rules).

Viva

The scholars will be required to present and defend their research proposals in front of the PhD Examination Committee. Similarly, after the required evaluation of the thesis/dissertation by foreign and local experts (as per HEC/ MY rules) a scholar must appear before the committee/public for a public defense to defend his/her research work.

Future Plans

1. To introduce new short-term language courses, ESP courses for the faculties of Sciences, Educational and Islamic Studies, and PhD English (literature).
2. To initiate work on research journal / seminar series / conferences in the field of English language, linguistics, and literature.
3. To offer TEFL courses by incorporating modern teaching & research trends, techniques, and methodology.
4. To offer English language courses to national and international students at the main campus by establishing an English Language Centre for short term language courses.