Chennai: The Academic Council of the University of Madras has approved amendments to the PhD regulations in its meeting held on September 27th.

Earlier, the recommendations of the Board of Research Studies to revise the qualification for registration and appointment of guides were accepted by the Syndicate at a meeting held in August.

For the post of supervisor, a candidate must have an experience of two years of teaching/research as against the previous criterion of one year. Lectures of affiliated colleges have also been permitted to register for part time PhD on the same guidelines adopted for school teachers for completing their doctorate.

Several new graduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate courses through the distance education mode have also been decided to be introduced.

Among the courses which will be introduced are Bachelor's course, P.G. diploma, diploma and certificate course in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, one year PG diploma in Enterprise Computing, one year PG diploma in Remote Infrastructure Management and a diploma in Airhostess and Aviation Hospitality.

The newly designed prospectus for PhD and academic calendar for colleges was also circulated during the meeting.

Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, S. Ramachandran informed that the syllabi for the second year and third year courses under the CBCS will be submitted by the University at the next meeting of its Academic Council.