The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : UGC proposes scheme to make students `wholesome'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 06, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

UGC proposes scheme to make students `wholesome'

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI, OCT. 5 . The University Grants Commission has proposed to evolve a consensus among institutions of higher learning to bring NCC, sports, extracurricular activities, and extension work under the ambit of overall rating of the students, in order to make students `wholesome' personalities, said S. Jelani, Deputy Secretary, South Eastern Regional Office, UGC, Hyderabad.

"The UGC is worried over the existing examination pattern which decides on the candidate's one year performance based on a three-hour written examination." Observing that there was an exclusive emphasis on academic activities by most of the institutions, he feared that it was not conducive to the student's growth. Institutions should think on the lines of equipping students to face the society, he said, delivering a lecture on `Quality Enhancement in Higher Education', organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Jamal Mohamed College.

Dr. Jelani said the concept of `add-on' courses was catching up with several colleges. The system facilitated a student to qualify for four courses — three additional courses of their choice along with their main degree — by the time they finish their three-year undergraduation. In the first year, they could do a certificate course of 45 days duration and in the second year, a diploma course. In their third year, the students could complete an advanced diploma course.

The `add-on' concept would put the students in a better reckoning in the job market, he said, adding that it did not entail an additional expenditure since the institutions could outsource experts as resource persons. The institutions might have to bear a nominal expenditure on account of hands-on training of students in industries for a limited period. He felt that private universities were flourishing only because of their flexibility. The concept would be discussed at length at a forthcoming conference in Coimbatore on October 13, he said.

Noting that many schemes had failed in the past owing to their failure at the implementation level, Dr. Jelani sought an unstinting cooperation from teachers lest the funds meant for their professional enhancement got diverted for other purposes. He urged them to avoid putting the upcoming generation of students to peril. He wanted autonomous colleges to make the most of their status by offering flexible certificate courses to retain their sanctioned staff strength.

Stating that `meritorious scholarship' for students would be implemented from the next academic year, he also explained the various schemes available for teachers for undertaking Faculty Improvement Programme, attending national and international conferences etc.

The principal, M. Sheik Mohamed, said unless institutions caught up with the trend of providing quality education at cheap cost, they would suffer in the competition.

As in any other field, educational institutions should not be content with `zero defect' but must aim at `zero defection'.

He also spoke on the UGC's emphasis on e-content — preparation of teaching materials in CD-ROMs.

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