The Kerala High Court has directed that PhD research fellows at Shankaracharya University be paid a salary in accordance with the university’s fellowship guidelines, emphasizing that these students must not be treated as volunteers or given an honorary status. The court’s ruling came after it was brought to light that the research fellows, despite being involved in significant academic and research work, had not been compensated in the manner expected for PhD-level scholars.
In its judgment, the Kerala High Court asserted that the university had an obligation to honor the terms outlined in its fellowship schemes, which are designed to ensure that research fellows are financially supported while they contribute to academic research and development. The court specifically noted that a formal and structured system of stipends or salary should be in place to recognize the academic contributions of the PhD candidates.
The issue arose when certain PhD scholars approached the court, citing that, although they were expected to work full-time on their research projects, they had not received any substantial monetary compensation. Instead, they were either offered minimal financial allowances or had to rely on personal resources. The court’s intervention brought attention to the need for proper remuneration as part of the research fellowship process, which is typically aimed at facilitating the scholar’s academic endeavors without putting undue financial strain on them.
In conclusion, the Kerala High Court’s judgment serves as a reminder of the responsibilities universities have in maintaining the welfare of their research fellows. It underscores the importance of fair compensation for scholars who dedicate substantial time and effort to academic research, and sets a precedent for how such matters should be handled in the future, ensuring that higher education institutions uphold ethical standards in supporting their research communities.
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