DU Planning to Roll Out the Semester System
The university got the much-awaited approval for the semester system from its academic council (AC) on Friday, clearing the way for its implementation at the undergraduate level from the 2010-2011 academic session. The AC meeting debated the issue before approving it with an overwhelming majority.
Speaking to TOI, Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental said: “The younger generation must learn the value of time and the semester system will help it realise that”.
Aimed at enhancing the quality of learning and career options for its students, the semester system, based on an accumulation of credits, will allow movement of students across universities in India and abroad.
Asked how the system would benefit DU students, Pental said: “While students from other countries who come on short-term `Study Abroad’ programmes to our university are awarded credits by their respective universities for the time spent here, our students are deprived of this. Shifting to a semester mode will allow greater exposure to those of our students who get the opportunity to study elsewhere”.
However, many teachers are not happy with the decision and earlier two ACs had to be adjourned amidst protests. According to Abha D Habibi, AC member, “Colleges like St Stephen’s, Hans Raj, Miranda House, Khalsa, LSR and Deen Dayal Upadhayay have said no to the system. We are not against the semester system, but we are also not going to be dictated by the University Grants Commission. We are opposing it on the grounds of feasibility and desirability. We are not sure how it was passed as the elected members rushed to the well of the house even before zero hour”.
Teachers are opposing the semester system because of the heterogeneity and diversity in the Delhi University system, unavailability of teaching faculty, addition of another examination, logistical problems and neglect of sports and co-curricular activities.
Abhishek Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/du-planning-to-roll-out-the-semester-system-992618.html
