Indian Student Invests ₹1 Crore in PhD, ‘Forcefully Dismissed’ by Oxford in Fourth Year

You are currently viewing Indian Student Invests ₹1 Crore in PhD, ‘Forcefully Dismissed’ by Oxford in Fourth Year

A Tamil Nadu student who spent over ₹1 crore to pursue a PhD in English at Oxford University has accused the institution of “forcibly removing” her from the doctoral program and transferring her to a master’s course without her consent, as reported by the BBC.

Lakshmi Balakrishnan, who already holds two master’s degrees from India, was informed in her fourth year that her research on Shakespeare did not meet the necessary standards for a PhD. Consequently, she was moved to a master’s program, a decision that she strongly opposed. “They shifted me from the PhD program to a master’s course against my will,” she explained. “I already hold two master’s degrees and paid £100,000 for a PhD at Oxford, not for another master’s degree.”

Despite the university’s actions, two Shakespeare scholars acknowledged that her research showed significant potential and should have been considered for PhD-level work. Nevertheless, Oxford’s Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) upheld the university’s decision, confirming her transfer to the master’s program.

Oxford University clarified that students in the PhD program must demonstrate a strong likelihood of completing a doctoral thesis. The university stated that students who disagree with their assessment can appeal through the university’s formal processes, with an option to escalate the matter to the OIA if needed.

Feeling betrayed by the institution she once admired, Balakrishnan expressed her disillusionment. “I feel a deep sense of betrayal and disappointment from a university I once respected,” she said. Although she pursued legal action to reverse the decision, her efforts proved unsuccessful. She believes the university’s strategy is designed to entrap her in an endless cycle of appeals, hoping that she will eventually give up. “I feel they want me to give up and leave,” she added.

This situation has sparked significant concerns about how international students are treated by elite institutions, particularly when it comes to academic assessments and transparency. Balakrishnan’s case raises important questions about fairness, accountability, and the long-term impact such decisions can have on students’ academic and professional futures.

Leave a Reply