University Round-up
UNIVERSITY OF MYSORE
Surprise decision: The University of Mysore's decision to re-introduce correspondence course from the new academic year (2005-06) has stirred a hornets' nest.
The decision has come as a bolt from the blue to the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) which feels threatened that its student intake could dwindle as many potential students will be lured to Mysore University's correspondence wing. The KSOU in its earlier outfit was the erstwhile Institute for Correspondence Course and Continuing Education (ICC and CE) and part of Mysore University's correspondence education wing.
However, it was bifurcated and converted into a full-fledged University in the 1990s and the State Government had promised to make it a nodal University for providing higher education through correspondence in the State.
While a section of the academicians point out that the University's decision stems from the constant resource crunch plaguing it, a section of the student community is peeved as it perceives that the brand image of the University of Mysore will be diluted.
However, impartial observers opine that such competition should be welcomed as this will set a trend to enhance standards.
R. Krishna Kumar
GULBURGA UNIVERSITY
Research project: The Board of Research in Nuclear Science in the Department of Atomic Energy has sanctioned a research project on "Resonance scattering of X-rays near absorption edge'' to the Department of Physics, Gulbarga University, with a total project cost of around Rs. 25 lakhs.
The Principal Investigator of the Department, B.R. Kerur, has been awarded the project with M.T. Lagare of the Physics Department as co-investigator and scientist from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Anil Kumar, as principal collaborator.
Increasing application of X-rays in a wide variety of fields, including medicine, industry, space, astrophysics, metallurgy, agriculture and archaeology, demands accurate data on photon cross-sections.
The earlier tables of photon cross-sections do not take into account the contributions of new effects discovered when the photon energy happens to be near the absorption edge. The tables need to be updated taking into account these effects.
The newly discovered effects are Resonant Raman Scattering (RRS) and Resonant Raman-Compton Scattering (RRCS), just below the absorption edge, and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Struction (EXAFS) just above the absorption edge.
Under the present project, it is proposed to measure accurately the total attenuation cross-section for 5-90 keV X-rays from radiosotopes using the HPGe detector and multi-channel analyser under good geometry conditions and estimate effects of RRS, RRCS and EXFAS.
The effects of the chemical environment would be studied by collecting data for different compounds of rare earth elements for which there are no adequate measurements. Data will also be collected for biological materials of dosimetric interest with a view to estimating the effective atomic number, which is of great importance in theoretical calculations.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, V.B. Coutinho, while appreciating the research project initiated by the team said that the findings would have a lasting impact and further research in radiation physics.
The X-ray photo cross-section tables would be applied in computer topography, crystal structure determination, detection of trace elements in biological materials, multi-wavelength anomalous diffraction and other fields.
T.V. Sivanandan
KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY
Varsity decision: The Kuvempu University has decided to treat the degrees, diplomas and certificates awarded by the Open Universities, in conformity with the UGC notification on specification of degrees, as equivalent to the corresponding awards of the regular universities in the country.
The decision, in response to a request from the UGC, was taken at the Academic Council meeting of the university held recently.
In a letter to the University Registrar, the Joint Secretary of the UGC said that the UGC has specified the nomenclature of degrees under Section 22(3) of the UGC Act, 1956 to ensure mandatory requirements viz., minimum essential academic inputs for awarding such degrees. The letter said that the Open Universities offering various degrees/diplomas through the mode of non-formal education have been established by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature in accordance with the provisions contained in Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.
These universities are empowered to award degrees. A circular was issued in 1992 mentioning that the certificates, diplomas and degrees awarded by the Indira Gandhi National Open University are to be treated as equivalent to the corresponding awards of the universities in the country.
Another circular was issued by the UGC in 1993 for recognition of degrees and diplomas as well as transfer of credit for courses successfully completed by students between the two types of universities.
Pramod Mellegatti
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