New system allows theses to be replaced by research articles

Masters and PhD students in Egypt will have the option to submit traditional theses upon completion of their studies or submit their research in the format of articles published in scientific journals ranked in the global top 25% (Q1) list in the Clarivate database.

Previously, postgraduate students could present their research only in theses format.

The new system was approved by the Supreme Council of Universities, according to the publication Akhbar Elyom.

The Supreme Council of Universities (which includes the minister and the presidents of universities, among others) coordinates higher education and scientific research policies in universities in accordance with the country’s needs towards the achievement of the state’s national, social, economic and scientific goals.

New postgraduate evaluation system

Under the new system, masters students may be exempted from submitting their theses in the traditional form, provided that students publish two research papers, one of which has to be an extract from the original dissertation, and the other a reference article in the student’s field of specialisation, published in a reputable journal.

Similarly, doctoral students can be exempted from submitting traditional dissertations provided that the student publishes three research papers, two extracts from the original dissertation and a reference article in an internationally classified scientific journal that falls within in the top 25% (Q1) list of Clarivate database.

A fast track for graduate students

Professor Mohamed Orabi, the head of the ranking committee and vice president of postgraduate studies and scientific research at Aswan University, told University World News the new system is an add-on to the traditional system – it is not replacing it.

The new system, he said, is considered to be a fast track for graduate students to complete their studies and, at the same time, build their publication record, Orabi said.

“The main difference will be [that the candidate] will save the time [it takes to write] a traditional thesis,” Orabi added.

“It is worth noting that this system has already been adopted in Kyushu University in Japan where I obtained my PhD in 2004,” Orabi pointed out.

“I foresee that only talented students will go through this new system ...” Orabi said.

Advantages

Professor Hamed Ead, who is based in the faculty of science, Cairo University, and is the former cultural counsellor at the Egyptian Embassy in Morocco, told University World News: “The new system of publishing research in international journals can lead to increased visibility, improved research quality and faster dissemination of knowledge.

“It also encourages flexibility and innovation in thesis format, leading to the adoption of alternative methods of knowledge dissemination.”

Challenges

“However, it can also create inequality in access, especially for students from underprivileged backgrounds or institutions with limited resources,” he said.

“The requirement to publish multiple research papers may create additional pressure and competition among students, shifting the focus from comprehensive research to meeting publication requirements,” he pointed out.

“Additionally, the focus on publishing research papers may lead to a fragmented approach to knowledge production without fully exploring the complexities of the research topic,” he added.

To address these challenges, Ead suggested that universities should provide financial assistance to cover publication fees and subscriptions, offer adequate training and mentorship in the publication of research, establish mechanisms to review and assess the quality of publications and establish clear guidelines for recognising and rewarding students and supervisors for their published research.

While the new system has the potential to foster a culture of research excellence and international collaboration, it is crucial to strike a balance between publication requirements and the overall quality and depth of research, according to Ead.

Universities should regularly evaluate the system and provide feedback on its effectiveness, including on the quality of research and the academic development of students, Ead said.

Research standards

Professor Atta-ur-Rahman, a UNESCO Science Prize laureate and former coordinator general of the Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the 57-country Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which includes Egypt, told University World News that abolishing a thesis at the masters level may make some sense, but abolishing it at PhD level would be a mistake.

“The writing of a PhD thesis presents many advantages, which include allowing the various aspects of the topic to be discussed in some depth, thereby increasing the awareness of the doctoral student of past and current research,” Atta-ur-Rahman noted.

“The negative results obtained from failed experiments are also written up, which is usually not possible in a research paper. This provides useful information for future researchers,” he stressed.

“A PhD thesis forces the doctoral student to organise work done and write it up in a very lucid manner, which is an important part of his or her training.

“As the thesis is examined by neutral external experts, and as all results must be properly documented in it, it reduces the chances of cheating and ‘cooking’ results as the detailed data must be incorporated in it. This is usually not possible in a short, focused research paper,” he said.

“The steps being taken in Egypt to abolish the PhD thesis as a requirement for doctoral students will result in a further deterioration of research standards,” Atta-ur-Rahman predicted.

“The academic community should raise its voice to change the short-sighted decision taken by the Egyptian authorities.”