PhD: A Standard and a Challenge

By Cheeno M. Luang
(Vol. XXIX No. 2, Editorial Cartoon)

It was not so long ago when University President Henry A. Sojor encouraged the teachers of this institution to have, as much as possible, an access to acquiring a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. This would not only benefit the school where they are employed in but to also boost their morale as educators. With the challenge on hand, the people concerned arrived at varied conclusions, including those who were not so up to the challenge.

With the president’s ambitious plan of sending teachers back to school, not to only teach but to study as well, is quite hard to reach as of the moment.

There are reasons at stake for such a plan. Though enticing as it seems, getting a PhD is not an easy thing to do, considering that it is the highest academic degree academic scholars can give to an individual.

First is money. Money is the worst nemesis of most teachers. As much as they wanted to pursue higher education, scarcity of money is always present. Teachers have to spend a feasible amount to pay for the transportation, the boarding house, the piles of books needed for study, the allowance and other minute expenses, and of greatest need, the dissertation.

Next is the minimal availability of universities in the entire Central Visayas Region offering PhD programs thus hindering teachers to earn a degree in their field of specialization.

The degree calls for a much higher level of critical thinking so only those who can endure the hassles and twist their brains like never before can pass.

At this point in time, after the president gave his challenge to the teachers to acquire a Doctoral degree, there should be a concrete plan and program as to what should be done next. If this university allocates millions for the development of the facilities and renovation of buildings, why don’t they try to set aside an amount for those aspiring NORSU teachers having Masters degree and support them in their Doctoral ambitions? If other universities can send their teachers abroad to study PhD in their respective fields, why can’t NORSU do so?

On the other hand, the greater help must come from the aspirants in order for them to reach the Doctorate level. According to what Dr. Henry A. Sojor said, it is the moral and professional obligation of a teacher to develop himself. He related that when he was still studying for his PhD, he was supporting himself all the way through until he finally earned what he deserved.

The university is there to help those who help themselves, to those who show great potential in their respective fields, to those who can benchmark with international standards, and to those who never make money a reason for not getting a Doctorate degree.

This is the highest academic degree offered to deserving individuals and thus a standard to look up to. This is a challenge to those who have aspired to go for the highest rank and be called Doctors of Philosophy. This is both a standard and a challenge to those who always find reasons of quitting and being contented with their Bachelor or Master’s degree.