DU mulling over conversion of BVoc into a regular degree

With just a few days left for Delhi University's first cut-off list to come out, many students may be anxiously waiting to get admitted with the course of their choice.

However, for those planning to opt for vocational courses, there is good news as the University officials are mulling to turn Bachelor of Vocation (BVoc) into a regular degree.

The technicalities of turning BVoc into a degree will be discussed in the Academic Council meeting scheduled on June 20. So far, vocational courses are flexible in nature, providing multiple entry and exit points, allowing students to leave the course anytime and rejoin on the time of their choosing. After completion of the course, students may earn a diploma or advanced diploma accordingly.

The meeting will discuss the letter sent by University Grants Commission (UGC) asking the University to treat BVoc programme as equivalent to other degrees and make sure that the degree is

considered for competitive exams and offers students much needed mobility in courses. BVoc is offered at Kalindi College, Ramanujan College and Jesus and Mary College. Jesus and Mary College offers two courses, namely BVoc in Retail Management and IT, and in Health Care Management. At Kalindi College, students can opt for BVoc in Printing Technology or Web Designing. Ramanujan College includes BVoc courses in Banking Operations and Software Development. In each college, around 50 seats have been opened up for prospective candidates.

These courses have been developed by the UGC as per the National Skills Qualification Framework of the Ministry of Skill Development, which emphasises on skill-based education in consultation with National Skill Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, adding to the complications of students opting for vocational courses, a decision was passed recently that Mathematics will be considered a mandatory subject to be taken in the best of four calculations.

Mathematics will now have to be taken along with one language and two elective subjects, unless a candidate is applying for BVoc in Healthcare Management, retail management and information technology.

However, to make up for the inclusion of Mathematics, the University has offered relaxation by awarding 2 per cent advantage for candidates who will include vocational subjects, related to the course they are applying for, in the best of four calculations. Further, 1 per cent will be awarded to candidates who have studied more than one vocational subject.