Doctor of Philosophy Programme

PhD. Introduction

Universities and other higher Education Institutes offers doctoral degrees in various disciplines. These doctoral programs focus on developing substantive knowledge in the area of their specialization and contributing to the body of knowledge. In these doctoral degrees, the candidate has to do extensive research work and submit a thesis based on the research within a period of three years. Some time, there are publication requirements laid by the universities. However, these doctoral degree programs are not encouraging publications during their PhD enrollment and typically only once the PhD thesis is completed, an attempt is made to carve out one or more research articles, which are then submitted to scholarly journals.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) of PSB university by research and publication has been designed as an alternative format for presentation of a coherent program of research. Under this model, Ph.D. candidates are required to carry out a research and publish their research outputs as a book with high academic standards.
Moreover, the proposed PhD by research and publication teaches the PhD candidate the skills that are required for a modern academic: being able to do significant and innovative research, and research based book that are concise and clear and being able to navigate the review process. With the PSB university’s current expectations about encouraging high-quality research and publications and employability of Ph.D. candidates after their graduation, this format is considered as an attractive and beneficial for both the University and the Ph.D. candidates.

 

Aims and Objectives of the Program

The PSB Ph.D. program aims at providing training and education in research, teaching, and research-oriented skills under the mentoring and guidance of qualified supervisors with the objectives of producing researchers capable of conducting research independently, at a high level of originality and quality.  Further, the candidates of this degree program are expected to discover or create new knowledge by finding of new information, formulation of theories, development of new approaches, or the innovative re-interpretation of existing ideas, theories or approaches. Moreover, PSB Ph.D aims to improve academic writing skills, earlier dissemination of research results and familiarize with the review process during the candidacy.

Objectives of the PhD

The objectives of a PhD program typically encompass a range of academic, research, professional, and personal development goals. They are

  • Advanced Knowledge Acquisition
  • Original Research Contribution
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
  • Research Skills Development
  • Professional and Academic Communication
  • Teaching and Mentorship
  • Ethical Research and Professional Conduct
  • Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Work
  • Career Development and Academic Leadership
  • Lifelong Learning and Continuous Improvement

These objectives may vary slightly depending on the specific discipline, institution, and individual research goals, but they generally encompass the key aspects of a successful PhD program.

Disciplinary Area for PhD

PSB University offers this PhD for Sri Lankan students on the following areas.

  1. Business and Management
  2. Buddhist Studies
  3. Education
  4. Humanities and Social Sciences
  5. Psychology and Counselling
  6. IT and Computing
  7. Economics
  8. Political Sciences
  9. Any other field acceptable to the PSB University.

Duration of the Program.

The duration of the PSB Ph.D. program is three-year. The program has a dual focus on providing an intellectual foundation to ask cutting-edge questions and then conduct high-quality research to address those questions. The students must remain enrolled in the doctoral program until the date of the oral defense/viva presentation.

Extension of the Duration

Although the duration of the Ph.D. program is three years, the registration can be extended up to six years with the recommendation of the supervisors and with the approval of the PSB University. However, an extension of one year beyond the maximum period of study (six years) may be granted under special circumstances. With extensions in the case of special circumstances, the maximum duration of completion of the Degree requirements would be seven years. 

Minimum Admission Requirement/s

  1. Master of Philosophy degree in a related field, or
  2. Master’s degree in a related field with course work and research component of SLQF 10, or
  3. Master Degree without research component and
  4. A Bachelor’s Honors degree of SLQF 6 and 5

(Students applying under 3 of the above are needed to follow research methodology course module successfully complete it before embarking on research)

Admission Procedures

The applicants must submit the following documents when they apply for the program:

  • Application form
  • Research proposal
  • Summary of academic interests
  • Degree certificates and transcripts
  • CV
  • Supervisor consent (only if already agreed, not mandatory)

It can be applied to the program throughout the year., but students are enrolled for the program two times per year, (January Intake and August Intake) of each year.

All the applications are reviewed by the members of the Board of Study of the PSB university. Ph.D. candidateship will be offered, and supervisors will be appointed only if the panel members are satisfied with the credibility of the application. The supervisor should have a at least need to have a doctoral degree or equivalent qualification.

Awarding Ph.D.

To award the Ph.D. by publication, the candidates must submit the final thesis (after viva) to the University. Please note that candidates must remain enrolled in the doctoral program until the date of the oral defense/viva presentation.

Assessment Strategy

The thesis of Ph.D. by publication program will be assessed by two independent examiners who are appointed by the PSB university. If candidates obtain minimum required marks, they will call for the final viva presentation. Therefore, the final assessment will be based upon the presentation of the research in a written thesis, which will be evaluated and discussed in a viva examination panel which is appointed by the University. However, to call for a viva presentation, candidates must all requirements .

Management

Prof. K.A.S. Dhammika is authorized by the PSB university to introduce and conduct the PhD program in Sri Lanka. He will coordinate the academic activities of the PhD program while EBS global solutions, the Sri Lankan franchise of the PSB university will bear the responsibility of the administration of the PhD students.

Term of Reference (TOR)

EBS Global Solution (Pvt) Ltd.

  1. Introducing and promotion of PSB PhD program internationally.
  2. Registering students for PhD program at PSB University.
  3. Making corresponding with PSB university regarding PhD students’ matters.
  4. Managing the program quality assurance.
  5. Providing the necessary facilities for running the PhD programs.

Coordinator of PhD program (Prof. K.A.S. Dhammika)

  1. Calling application for PSB PhD program.
  2. Selecting the students for PhD.
  3. Assign supervisors for Students.
  4. Conducting progress review meeting.
  5. Conducing Board of Studies (BOM).
  6. Appointing of evaluators for thesis.
  7. Conducting Viva-voce examination.
  8. Making recommendations for awarding PhD.

 

 

For more information : phd@psbu.edu.kh