The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Urdu goes for a toss at Maulana varsity

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Friday, Sep 29, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Urdu goes for a toss at Maulana varsity

J.S. Ifthekhar

Faculty no longer at ease with the language

HYDERABAD: Can you imagine teachers not conversant with the language in which they are supposed to teach? Or not possessing the relevant qualifications and teaching experience? Sounds incredible. But this appears to be the case with Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU).

The university, which was set up for the promotion and development of Urdu, is gradually losing its character as many faculty members are not comfortable with the language. Among non-teaching staff too, many are not conversant with Urdu.

Non-availability of Urdu medium teachers and reference books is the bane of the university. In subjects like mass communication and journalism, business management, public administration and social work, Urdu-knowing teachers are difficult to find.

"Yes, there are some constraints," says varsity Vice-Chancellor A.M. Pathan.

Chance for improvement

He agrees that some of the professors are not proficient in Urdu as prior to their appointment in MANUU they were teaching in English. "Give them some time for improvement," he pleads.

However, some MCJ students are not amused by this explanation. According to them, even Head of the department Asad Nizam can't read and write Urdu. They wonder as to how a lecturer with a PG diploma in journalism can take MCJ classes. Prof. Pathan, however, maintains that faculty members possess relevant qualifications. But for his initiative, many sanctioned posts of the Ninth Plan would have lapsed.

Bias in administration?

"There are two options. Either to close down the department or wait till teachers familiarise themselves with Urdu," he says.

This is not all. The varsity is plagued by nepotism. Some officials have allegedly managed to get their kin appointed to different posts. "There is no provision in the university Act which says that relatives of an employee should not be appointed," points out Prof. Pathan.

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