Ph.D. Student Handbook 2020-21 AKAL UNIVERSITY Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda Sant Attar Singh Ji Sant Teja Singh Ji 1866-1927 1877-1965 The great visionary of 20th century (Sant Attar Singh Ji) had a vision that modern scientific education alone will not serve the humanity well, until and unless it is amalgamated with Braham Vidya (Spiritual Education) OUR MISSION “To establish permanent peace in the world through value based scientific education and spiritual rejuvenation creating good global citizens” What is that which can empower our nation? Obvious answer is Education. Education enhances livelihood but education that is Value Based gives root and wings as well” Our Vision Hon'ble Baba Iqbal Singh Ji (Chancellor) (Retired Director Agriculture, Government of H.P., INDIA) Winner of Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award in London-2012 [Excerpt from a discussion with Revered Baba lqbal Singh Ji, President of the Kalgidhar Trust, India with Berkley Center, USA] The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University, created within the Office of the President in 2006, is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of religion, ethics, and public life. Through research, teaching, and service, the Center explores global challenges of democracy and human rights; economic and social development; international diplomacy; and interreligious understanding. Excerpt Please expand on value-based education, and what it means to you and to your work? Broadly speaking, there are three types of education. The first type focuses only on literacy without any moral content. I believe the merely literate person is the most egoistic and selfish because he is taught no moral values and thinks only about himself. Most schools, colleges, and universities around the world, impart literacy and not value-based education. The second type of education is value-based, where you combine literacy with moral, ethical, and religious instructions and which is far more holistic. An individual who has gone through this type of scholastic career starts to think about the needs of others and begins to see himself connected to them and has a very broad outlook. The third type of education is the spiritualized education with divine wisdom for which you have no need to go to any school, because the divine knowledge of the universe springs from within. None of the prophets or the founders of the great world religions went to any university to learn the lessons about the Divine. One only needs to delve into the scriptures of the great religions for this type of education. Our organization combines spirituality with literacy (basic education) to impart value- based education to students. As a result, our students are free from drug/substance abuse and the use of alcohol. They are thus able to focus their minds on study, sports, and the well-being of others around them. Value-based education is the real need of the day to produce good upright human beings, who can inspire others to tread on the divine path and serve mankind selflessly. The effects of value-based education have been far-reaching. Our students have helped to reduce tension in their homes by counselling their own parents. In some cases, they have succeeded to keep their parents from divorcing. We are convinced that value-based education is the best way to enable the society to move forward and to bring about sustainable development in the world. Through such education, we will be able to harness the energy of the youth and persuade them to work for the betterment of the world, which is now in turmoil. For complete interview, please refer to the link http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/interviews/a-discussion-with- baba-iqbal-singh-president-of-the-kalgidhar-society-india. Contents S. No. Page No. 1 Important information 1 2 About Akal University 3 3 A University with a difference 5 4 Our mission, vision and mandate 7 5 Ethics 9 6 Faculties & faculty members 11 7 Standards and procedures 17 8 Syllabus for entrance test 25 9 General rules of entrance test 59 10 Research conduct rules 63 11 Fee structure 65 12 Forms 67 13 Guidelines for preparation of synopsis 77 14 Guidelines for preparation of thesis 81 15 Submission of thesis 91 16 Cancellation of registration 92 17 Award of Ph.D. degree 93 18 Important note 95 19 Disclaimer 95 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Admission to Ph.D. programmes for the academic session 2020-21 is offered in the following Disciplines: Disciplines Botany Zoology Physics Chemistry Mathematics Economics English Punjabi Psychology Commerce No of Seats Number of seats available in each department is subject to availability of Supervisors in the specific areas where student(s) want to pursue his/her Ph.D. programme. Admission Dates* Submission of Application 15th September 2020 Written test and interview 22nd September 2020 Declaration of Result 25th September 2020 Last Date for the Submission of registration form 30th September 2020 Classes for course work 12th October 2020 Dates of Entrance Examination Date Paper Time Paper-I 10.00 A.M.-11.00 A.M. 22nd September 2020 (Objective type) (Tuesday) Paper-II 11.30 AM-1.30 P.M. (Subjective type) * Dates are subject to change as per requirement. 1 2 ABOUT AKAL UNIVERSITY Fulfilling Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's fourth Prophecy of "Guru Ki Kashi". For a Sikh, there is nothing more rewarding than to serve the cause of Humanity and especially the Education, which enlightens the minds of the people and removes the darkness of ignorance from their minds. When the Tenth divine Master Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Talwandi Sabo, after winning the battle of Muktsar Sahib, he untied his Kamar kassa (the waist-band). Saadh Sangat started calling this holy place as Damdama Sahib. Gurdwara Manji Sahib also adorns the place, which was once visited by Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. At Damdama Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh Ji sent 25 Sikhs to Dhir Mal to obtain Sri Granth Sahib so that by adding the Banis of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji would culminate in Sampooran Sri Granth Sahib Ji. Dhir Mal plainly refused the request saying, “If Guru Gobind Singh Ji is so capable then why doesn't he recite the complete Guru Granth Sahib. I won't give the Granth.” When the Sikhs communicated this harsh reply of Dhir Mal to Guru Ji, then Dashmesh Pita went into deep meditation. He dictated the Sri Granth Sahib while it was hand-written by Bhai Mani Singh Ji and also added the Banis of the ninth Guru - Guru Tegh Bahadur there by completing the Sri Granth Sahib. Later, Dashmesh Pita installed the Sri Granth Sahib as 'Guru Granth Sahib' at Abachal Nagar Sri Hazur Sahib (Hyderabad Deccan) in October 1708 before shedding his mortal frame. Chaudhary Dalla of Sabo Ki Talwandi (Sri Damdama Sahib), then the ruler of this region, became a devout disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Along with his entire family, he got initiated into Khalsa fold through Guru Ji and rendered relentless services to the Guru. Once while divine ecstasy, while blessing, Guru Ji said, “Look Bhai Dalla! Canals are flowing.” Bhai Dalla replied, “Maharaj! It is desert only full of sand. You are mistaking it as canals.” But Guru Ji's prophecy has been realized and today canals are irrigating the whole region. Guru Ji again said, “Look Bhai Dalla! Farms are full of mangoes, oranges and grapes.” Bhai Dalla again replied, “Maharaj! These are plants bearing poppy pods only. You are mistaking these for fruits.” Guru Ji said, “You are not able to see but there will be abundance of farms full of fruits in this region.” According to that blessing of Guru Ji, this region is now covered with farms of all types of fruits. Then Guru Ji blessed third time, “Bhai Dalla! Fields full of wheat crops are flourishing.” Bhai Dalla replied, “These are wild bushes. How can wheat crops be produced here?” Smiling, Guru Ji said, “Bhai Dalla! Right now you lack divine vision and are not able to see the future.” At present, as per Guru Ji's blessing, fields are yielding huge wheat crops. After finishing the scribing of complete Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as per divine order, Guru Ji began sharpening wooden reeds, throwing these into the Sarovar and uttered the fourth 3 blessing, “As Kashi Banaras is the center of learning of ancient India, a great center of divine learning will emerge here, this will be Guru Kashi”: (Gurbilas Patshahi 6) From here, great scholars will spread the divine message of Sri Guru Granth Sahib among the people in the entire world in their respective languages resulting in universal peace and brotherhood: 4 A UNIVERSITY WITH A DIFFERENCE Three centuries ago, the tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji stayed at Talwandi Sabo, finalized the compilation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and prophesied that this place will manifest as Guru Ki Kashi - a great Centre of teaching and learning from where will emerge great scholars of Sikhism. About two centuries thereafter, establishment of Gurumat Vidalaya by Sant Atar Singh Ji Maharaj was the first step in this direction. About a century thereafter, establishment of Akal University, Talwandi Sabo under the benevolent leadership of Revered Baba Iqbal Singh Ji Baru Sahib Wale was culmination of what the tenth Guru prophesied about three centuries ago. The University has started its sixth academic session this year. The mission and vision of the University is not merely to impart literacy but also to provide high quality spiritual value based education leading to holistic development of complete human beings propagating the message of Universal brotherhood and philosophy of interfaith wisdom enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.