Doctor of Philosophy (PhD in ICT)

Program Description: Ph.D. in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Faculty: Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering
Duration: 3–6 Years (Full-Time)
Program Type: Outcome-Based Doctoral Program
Total Credits: 20 Credits (Course Work) + Research Component
Research Evaluation: Pass/Fail
Additional Requirements: 2 Mandatory Seminars, Minimum 1 ISI/Scopus Indexed Publication

Overview

The Ph.D. in ICT at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) is a research-intensive doctoral program designed to cultivate highly skilled ICT researchers, innovators, and academic leaders. The program combines advanced coursework, seminars, and independent research to develop expertise in emerging ICT domains.

The program spans 3 to 6 years, depending on the candidate’s research progress, and follows an Outcome-Based Education (OBE) framework. It includes 20 credit hours of coursework graded on a CGPA system and a research component evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis. Candidates are required to deliver two mandatory seminars and publish at least one article in an ISI or Scopus indexed journal as a condition for awarding the Ph.D. degree.

Program Objectives

The Ph.D. in ICT program aims to:

• Develop scholars with expert-level knowledge in advanced ICT and interdisciplinary areas.
• Enable candidates to conduct independent, original research contributing to technological advancement.
• Foster innovation in AI, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Telecommunication, IoT, Blockchain, and related fields.
• Equip students with critical thinking, computational modeling, and data-driven analysis skills.
• Prepare graduates for academic leadership, R&D roles, and global research collaboration.

Research Areas

Candidates may focus on, but are not limited to:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
• Software Engineering and Intelligent Systems
• Telecommunication and Networking
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Embedded Systems
• Blockchain and Distributed Systems
• Cloud Computing, Big Data Analytics, and Edge Computing
• Human-Computer Interaction and Computational Intelligence

Program Structure

Component

Credits / Evaluation

Advanced Coursework

20 Credits (CGPA System)

Research / Dissertation

Pass/Fail

Mandatory Seminars

2 Seminars (Attendance & Presentation Required)

Publication Requirement

Minimum 1 ISI/Scopus Indexed Journal Article

Key Notes:

• Coursework provides advanced theoretical and methodological foundations.
• Research work is independent and closely supervised, evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis.
• Publication in a recognized ISI/Scopus journal is mandatory for award of the Ph.D. degree.

Program Outcomes (POs)

Upon completion, Ph.D. graduates will be able to:

PO1: Demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding in ICT and interdisciplinary domains.
PO2: Conduct independent, original research that contributes to ICT knowledge and innovation.
PO3: Design and implement novel ICT solutions addressing real-world challenges.
PO4: Analyze complex problems using computational, statistical, and engineering methods.
PO5: Communicate research effectively through publications, presentations, and seminars.
PO6: Demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and professional ethics in research and technology practice.
PO7: Engage in lifelong learning to adapt to evolving ICT technologies and global trends.

Admission Requirements

• Master’s degree (M.Sc. / M.Engg.) in ICT, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• Minimum CGPA of 3.00 / 4.00 or equivalent.
• Admission based on academic merit, research proposal, and faculty supervision availability.

Career Opportunities

Ph.D. graduates in ICT are prepared for:

• Academic leadership and faculty positions in universities and research institutions.
• Advanced R&D roles in industry, technology firms, and startups.
• Policy, consultancy, and innovation in cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and emerging ICT fields.
• International research collaborations and postdoctoral fellowships.

Graduates contribute to cutting-edge technological advancements, knowledge creation, and ICT-driven societal solutions.