The Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) serves as a vital academic forum, ensuring that doctoral research progresses with clarity, rigor, and direction. On Sunday, September 22, 2025, at 9:30 AM, the DAC meeting of Ms. Kshama Vishwakarma was held to evaluate her progress and provide guidance for the final stretch of her doctoral journey.
This meeting was scheduled at the request of her research guide, Dr. Asha Kamath, and coordinated by the PhD Office at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).
Present at the meeting were Dr. Asha Kamath (Guide), Dr. Vidya Patwardhan (DAC Member), Dr. Senthil Kumaran (DAC Member & Research Coordinator, WGSHA), Dr. Sathish Jayaram (Director, WGSHA), and myself as a DAC member.
A Defining Stage in the Doctoral Journey
Ms. Vishwakarma presented her finalized deck, marking an important milestone ahead of her formal defense. The presentation reflected her years of consistent effort, spanning more than seven years of doctoral work. The committee acknowledged her dedication to meeting academic requirements, including thorough documentation, regular reviews, and adherence to protocol. She also distributed the cookies patented by her to the participants.
The discussion underscored that she is well-prepared for the next phase of her doctoral submission.
Methodological Clarity
One of the focal points of the meeting was a published paper of Ms. Vishwakarma’s research. While the journal had categorized it as a “review,” the committee clarified that the article is, in fact, a methodological contribution. Specifically, it lays out the approach required to achieve her second research objective—identification of immigrant populations relevant to her formulation research.
Although the journal’s classification cannot be changed, the DAC emphasized the need to present this distinction clearly in her thesis. This framing will ensure that her methodological contribution is properly recognized and avoids confusion with traditional review papers.
Next Steps and Formal Procedures
The DAC agreed to reconvene on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 4:30 PM to review protocols and finalize pending matters.
The committee also reiterated the standard post-submission process: once the thesis is submitted, there will be a minimum three-month waiting period before the Provisional Degree Certificate (PDC) can be issued. During this time, evaluation parameters will be set, and two will be randomly chosen for assessment, as per MAHE’s doctoral guidelines.
Concluding Remarks
The meeting closed with appreciation for Ms. Vishwakarma’s perseverance and thoroughness in advancing her doctoral work. The DAC expressed confidence in her readiness to face the final stages of her journey and deliver a strong defense.
This session served not only as an academic checkpoint but also as a moment of encouragement, reaffirming the committee’s role in guiding and mentoring doctoral scholars toward successful completion.
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