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Institutions globally (educational or corporate) have always cranked their minds to find a magic number around their research spendings.
With robust empirical evidence supporting that the leading organizations have one thing in common – the high-performing organizations categorically invest resources in R&D (above the industry average).
Before we proceed, I would like to reemphasize one word – instead of spending; I would like to highlight using ‘invest.’
A Ph.D. program is no different, and so is a business school.
It is usually considered a cost center, has to wrestle for resources and always seeks high-quality talent.
Before we dive deep into why and when of promoting a Ph.D. program (which will come in our following articles), Let us bust a few myths here –
Myth 1
We have heard it before – A Ph.D. is a cost center; it doesn’t make money.
A research program is an investment opportunity for an institution.
As far as the institutional resources are concerned, these will get exhausted anyway, whether money, time, or other resources.
Better processes, better scholars can ensure that your output in terms of research, teaching assistance, brand building, and hiring is maximized.
Since a research program also attracts the attention of global partners, regulators, and potential recruits, a well-funded and well-organized research program can be a win-all preposition.
Research Programs all over the globe, irrespective of the industry, attract capital from revenue-making sources. Additionally, research shows that Research Investment can lead to better revenue, collaboration & funding opportunities, and better scholars.
Also, a robust research program can help an institution make money via workshops, seminars, development programs, and funding.
Myth 2
It is logical or OK to promote a month before the program deadline.
Inkpothub’s work with scholars showed us that Ph.D. aspirants finalize a tentative list of institutions very early in their preparation stage. It mainly depends upon the institution’s reputation, academic research output, and perks.
Promoting a research program like a post-graduate program can rob you out of high-quality scholars. First, it may sound like a sale, and second, it may fail to do justice with communicating your offerings.
What to do?
Plan an annual calendar, maybe on the same lines as promoting an MBA program, but focus more on the content.
Read:
4 Reasons Why Promoting your Ph.D. Program on ‘your social media’ may not help much?
Myth 3
The stipend amount will lure the best scholars.
On the surface, YES. In reality, May Be.
Once a scholar is convinced about the institution’s reputation and the potential guide, only then will the stipend become a deciding factor.
Instead of just the stipend amount, the institutions that consider the entire package (boarding, lodging, conference grants, contingency, and hardware grants) win.
Which means an INR. 40,000 per month stipend in Mumbai or Delhi is not the same as INR. 40,000 per month (stipend) in Cochin, Ghaziabad, Indore, Lucknow, and other tier-2 cities.
Myth 4
More scholars on campus can lead to poor learning outcomes and output.
An elite school can (also, and do) have a large number of scholars at a time.
The number can help in multiple ways –
- It can enhance Peer-to-Peer learning,
- Help create a feeling of a Cohort and Association that can serve them throughout their careers and
- Increase the likelihood of undertaking interdisciplinary work.
Myth 5
The scholars are herein for research.
In addition to churning out research papers, scholars can aid in teaching, grading, writing research proposals, hosting workshops, handling research centers, and much more.
Thus, justifying their ROI (but not at the cost of their research).
The multi can help an institution offer more incentives to scholars, thus making them comfortable to choose a research career and walk out prepared.
Busting these myths and working around them can drastically improve your intake, the undertone of the program, and the outcomes.
Happy Researching!
Hemant Sharma
