MANGALORE: The academic council of Mangalore University on Tuesday decided to refer the issue regarding the introduction of a uniform language curriculum for all courses to the Inter-University Board (IUB).

The academic council meeting, which was held here, has approved the Vice-Chancellor's proposal to refer it to the IUB following difference in opinions between the arts, science and commerce faculties on this issue.

In August 2004, the IUB in its 42nd meeting had decided to introduce a uniform language curriculum for all degree courses. Chairpersons of language board of studies in the universities had been told to take steps to ensure that the new change is incorporated in the curriculum.

Impractical

However, the chairpersons had intimated the IUB that the introduction of a uniform language curriculum in all degree courses is impractical as the teaching, examination pattern and evaluation system differed among the courses.

The arts faculty had also made a similar observation to the academic council and deans of the science and commerce faculties also expressed their opposition to the idea.

Vice- Chancellor (in-charge) Thimme Gowda said that the teaching of languages has shifted towards a "need based" criteria. According to him students of humanities, commerce and professional courses will learn languages that are best suited to their professional needs.

Reconstituted curriculum

The council also resolved to defer the decision of introducing the "extended and reconstituted" curriculum for second and third year B.Com students respectively as suggested by the Board of Studies of Commerce. The council observed that continuity in the curriculum between the two years must be maintained and for this the Board of Studies needs time and it cannot be implemented in a hurry. Prof. Gowda and Registrar Sundar Naik also felt that there has to be sufficient time to bring about these changes .

Prof. Gowda said the university will send the proposal to the Government immediately and start preparations to arrive at that eventuality.

The council felt that even though it is desirable to have the changes implemented from the 2006 academic year, owing to practical difficulties it may be implemented only by 2007-08.

Coordination committee

The council also debated the problems faced by the coordination committees for the education faculty.

Senior faculty on education Mahabaleshwar Rao said that there are some ambiguities in the procedures to constitute the coordination committees which will be addressed soon.

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