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TOPIC 2 : VIVA VOCE PANEL AND ITS ROLE
2.1
ROLE OF PANEL MEMBERS
a. Chairperson
b. Examiners
MSc: Usually 1 external and 1 internal.
PhD: Usually 2 externals and 1 internal or 1 external and 2 internals.
Note: There is no any one set rule for the number of internal and external as it depends on respective
institution to decide.
c. The candidate
d. Your supervisor
•
Main supervisor is usually mandatory and co-supervisors are optional.
e. Dean or the representative
f. Secretary
•
The role is to witness the whole proceedings, taking note of all the concerns of the
panel members.
Source:
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1436Conflict of Interest
The appointment of examiners must not have any professional and/or family ties with the
student and the supervisor.
Chairperson
•
Chairperson opens the viva voce session by providing general information on the panel
members and the student.
•
Chairperson usually should have graduated at least one postgraduate student.
•
The chairperson is a full-time member of the university staff.
•
Not necessarily has the expertise in your field of research.
•
The chairperson is not a member of the examining line up.