Students pursuing the five-year integrated masters programmes of the University of Hyderabad or planning to pursue it can heave a sigh of relief as the ‘ambiguity' with regard to the recognition has been cleared by various academic agencies in the country for both higher education and employment.
Doubts over the recognition of the course were raised when the A.P. Public Service Commission (APPSC) questioned the recognition recently during one of its recruitment tests. The University then wrote to the agencies seeking clarity on the issue and it received letters endorsing the course by agencies like University Grants Commission (UGC), Association of Indian Universities (AIU), A.P. State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The APSCHE also made it clear to the APPSC to honour the course as it was recognised by the UGC. The course was started with enthusiasm a few years back for Intermediate passed students offering a P.G. degree at the end of five years. Despite favourable response from students it faced some troubles over recognition apart from students seeking an exit opportunity after three years of study.
Exit clause
In fact, the UGC suggested that if the university wishes the exit clause can be introduced. The university, however, seems to be disinclined as it feels spirit of the course will be lost. After students demanded the introduction of exit clause, a review committee headed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, E. Haribabu was constituted and it is yet to submit its report.
Prof. Haribabu told The Hindu that the committee was weighing all options but the final decision is not yet taken. However, a majority of members feel that students enrolling in this course should continue till five years as they will be exposed to research projects, laboratories and expertise of senior teachers, which otherwise is not possible outside. Unlike other degree programmes students here study less of languages and that precious time can be used to learn courses to improve employment opportunities. Course is designed in such a way that integrated students study four hours of IT and English courses at the specially created laboratory. The change is palpable right after the first year. In fact, some students have bagged summer internship projects abroad.
The course is offered in two streams - M.A. (I.M.A.) and M.Sc. (I.M.Sc.) and they are trans-disciplinary cutting across several disciplines. Subjects from Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences are offered in the first two years for all the students. The credit system allows students to exercise their option of subjects either soon after admission, at the end of first year, or at the end of second year or even at the end of third year in certain courses.
