BENGALURU: Just three days are left for the beginning of 2017-18 academic year for undergraduate medical courses, but the state medical university is yet to decide on ‘mandatory Kannada’ teaching as directed by the state authorities.
According to Medical Council of India (MCI) schedule, the classes for undergraduate medical courses would begin from September 1. But the officials of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) are still in a fix over teaching mandatory Kannada as directed by the Kannada Development Authority (KDA).
Though the matter was placed before the recent syndicate meeting, it was deferred without a detailed discussion.
Prof MK Ramesh, in-charge vice chancellor and registrar evaluation of RGUHS, told Express, “As it was an academic matter, the syndicate members felt it should be discussed during Academic Council meet, where principals of medical colleges will also be present. The matter will be placed before the Academic Council.”
RGUHS authorities are also clueless over level at which they have to introduce the mandatory Kannada, and from where will they get the text books.
“We are not sure if the university has to frame its own syllabus or Kannada Development Authority will prescribe it,” said Prof Ramesh. “In a week or two, the Academic Council meet may be held. The recommendations will be subsequently placed before the syndicate at a special meeting. The university has also decided to write to the KDA seeking further clarity on introduction of mandatory Kannada language,” he added.
Kannada classes already started at VTU
Following the directions from the KDA on mandatory Kannada classes at professional and higher educational institutions, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi had communicated the same to affiliated colleges, and also recruited guest faculties to teach Kannada. At VTU, undergraduate engineering students are learning mandatory Kannada in 3rd and 4th semesters. For non-Kannada students, it is basic ‘Kannada Kali,’ and for Kannada students, the course is titled ‘Kannada Manassu’.