LAHORE: The new criteria introduced by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for admissions to PhD programmes being offered in several universities across the country have left students scratching their heads. According to new rules, it has become mandatory for students of MS/MPhil to choose research work of six credit hours for seeking admission to PhD programmes. “For award of MPhil/MS/equivalent degree, candidates will either need to complete 30 credit hours of course work or complete 24 credit hours of course work along with a minimum of six credit hours for research work/thesis. Six credit hours of research are mandatory for MPhil. However, exemption may be allowed only for MS programmes in those disciplines where research is not possible. (This exemption from research can only be for non-science subjects/disciplines). The head of department may allow the student to do course work of six credit hours in lieu of six credit hours of research. However, this exemption can only be allowed if a student wants to terminate his/her course and doesn’t want to continue their studies in PhD programmes.” Earlier, MS was considered equal to MPhil. Besides, the Higher Education Commission had also mentioned that students not choosing research work in MS programmes would not be able to continue their studies in PhD programmes. It is pertinent to mention here that Higher Education Commission has neither publicised the new admission policy nor inform students. Thousands of students are still unknown to the new criteria for admissions to PhD programmes. Recently, a student, wishing not to be named, was denied admission to a PhD programme in a public sector university. Talking to Daily Times, she said that she was unaware of new rules for admission to PhD programmes. “It came to my notice when I applied for admission to PhD in a university after completion of MS programme… and I was denied admission during the interview after the written test,” she said. She quoted members of the admission committee, who interviewed her, as saying that she would have to reappear in an MPhil programme if she wanted to continue her study. Reacting to the HEC’s policy, she said that this was sheer negligence on the part of Higher Education Commission officials, as “they did not informed students about the new rules”. Another student, who recently completed her MS programme, said, “I think that the HEC’s communication team should have informed students that they could not get admission to PhD programmes if they will not go for research work during their MS or MPhil programmes.” The HEC spokesperson was not available for comments despites multiple attempts.