Even as Delhi University’s four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) is in doldrums, Bangalore University’s (BU) ambitious plan of restructuring its undergraduate (UG) programme from the 2014-15 academic year is facing uncertainty and confusion. On the one hand, UG admissions in affiliated colleges are drawing to a close. On the other, colleges claim the regulations governing the four-year UG programme with multiple exit options have not yet been conveyed to them.
M. Prakash, principal, Seshadripuram Degree College, Seshadripuram and general secretary, Bangalore University First Grade College Principals’ Association, said admissions for B.Com., BBM and BCA were already closed and the cut-off for these courses was 84 per cent. “Admissions for arts and science courses are still open, but no one knows anything about the restructuring of courses as the university has not given us the regulations or the syllabus. We have admitted students as per the old structure,” he added.
The All-India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) has found loopholes in the restructured programme, and has been opposing it. Beginning with the logic of introducing the new pattern of students making their own subject combinations (for example, a student opting for BA course can choose two arts and one science subject, apart from one foundation course along with languages), AIDSO has asked whether colleges have the faculty and infrastructure to cater to this. “If colleges continue with the same old combinations, what restructuring is the Vice-Chancellor talking about?” AIDSO has asked. Another is the lack of a new syllabus for the UG programme, including for the 14 new subjects falling under the category of foundation courses.
Asked about the status of the ambitious programme, BU Vice-Chancellor B. Thimme Gowda said the regulations had been formulated and uploaded on the varsity website. Denying the fact that there was any confusion, Prof. Gowda said, “The first three years will have the same structure. A student gets to choose a subject of his choice only in the third year for the honours course in the fourth year,” he explained. The syllabus is almost ready and will reach colleges next week, he added.
