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Delhi

DU academic council adopts four-year UG programme

Delhi University’s top academic body on Monday adopted a four-year undergraduate programme that would allow students to opt for a two-year degree and make sports a part of the curriculum, amid dissent by some teachers who criticised the way the course was being ‘imposed.’

In a marathon meeting that started at 9 am and ended around 7.30 pm, members of the academic council (AC) discussed and debated the proposal of a task force that was ultimately passed near unanimously with 80 for it and six against.

Five teachers associated with Leftist bodies dissented to the move, so did Prof Satish Deshpande, dean, faculty of social sciences, sources said.

The university registrar said in a statement that the AC adopted the programme with multiple degrees options ranging from an Associate Baccalaureate in two years.

‘This historic decision offers students a range of foundation courses, and discipline courses enhanced through application courses. Cultural and sports activities form a part of the curriculum for the first time,’ the statement said.

The programme will entail a shift from the present 10+2+3 scheme to a four-year-graduation with multiple exit points and freedom to complete remaining years over a period of time. The students can opt out of the course after completing two years, three years as well as stay on for four years.

Students who have left with a two or three years degrees will be allowed to return to complete their remaining years later if they want to.

The decision was described as ‘historic’ repeatedly during the meeting, but the dissenting members argued that before a shift of this degree a detailed study of courses run in four year patterns in other institution should have been conducted and teachers and experts consulted credibly in the process. The AC also authorised the vice-chancellor to form committees of various subjects to prepare detailed courses for consideration of the course committees.

Renu Bala, member of Academic Council and associate professor of ARSD college informed that ‘there would not be any changes in the admission procedure of four-year programme.’

‘At the academic council meeting the decision has been taken that the course and syllabus will be the responsibility of the task Force, which will soon start working on it.’
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