Mangaluru: With a large number of PhD guides at Mangalore University (MU) retiring, research aspirants fear their opportunities are shrinking. The university’s postgraduate and research centre at Mangalagangothri in Konaje is left with only a handful of guides, while most eligible faculty members have already superannuated.

According to MU officials, one way forward is to appoint more permanent faculty for PG courses on the Konaje campus, or to increase the number of recognised research centres under the university.

“It is true that there is a dearth of PhD guides at our PG and research centre. To bridge the gap, MU is allowing educational and research institutions with adequate infrastructure and qualified guides to be recognised as research centres,” said registrar Raju K Mogaveera.

Currently, nearly 40 institutions, including central and state government-run educational and research institutes have been approved as MU research centres. “We recently received two more applications from autonomous institutions, which are under review,” said an official from the PhD section.

Institutions applying for recognition must meet specific criteria, including running a PG course for at least five years and having PhD guides who completed five years after obtaining their doctoral degree. A delegation from MU inspects the facilities before granting approval.

Despite such measures, challenges remain. “This year alone, 230 PhD seats were vacant, and the process is under way to fill them. Most applicants are from outside Mangalore University,” said a university source.

Former materials science professor Manjunath Pattabi stressed the need to expand research centres under MU to meet growing demand. He also urged aspirants to complete their PhDs without delay. “Timely completion will ensure that others too get the opportunity to pursue their research ambitions,” he said.