In a first, Dr B R Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) has announced that PhD scholars would face penalties for “unauthorised absence” from on-campus research work. In a July 31 notification, the university said it had decided to maintain an attendance-cum-whereabouts register for PhD scholars receiving any kind of fellowship. “Any unauthorised absence from the on-campus research work, as certified by the attendance records, will be penalised as per the rules. Story continues below this adIt covers all scholars receiving fellowships including Junior Research Fellowship or Senior Research Fellowship, Ambedkar University Delhi Merit Research Fellowship (AUD MRF) etc. The decision followed a meeting of the University Research Degree Committee (URDC) held on July 27.