BHUBANESWAR: In a belated move, the Utkal University of Culture has decided to switch to choice-based credit system (CBCS) from 2014-15 academic session. Under the new system, instead of sitting for examination after two years, PG students will have to appear at tests every six months.
CBCS allows a PG student in fourth semester to pursue one choice-based course (CBC) apart from his specialisation course. For instance, an MVA student in Painting can choose Linguistics in fourth semester under CBCS as his ‘allied elective’. If the student appears at the examination in an allied elective, his score will be reflected in the marksheet. If he only attends the classes and fails to appear at the examination, it would be reflected in marksheet as ‘audit class’.
University Grants Commission (UGC) in its 11th Plan guidelines had directed the universities to implement CBCS for PG courses in 2011-12 for improving students’ employability.
Even as CBCS would mean more workload for teaching staff, the university is currently managing with 12 faculty members. It offers 22 PG courses in various streams. There are 40 institutions, including four Government ones, affiliated to it.
Apparently, the university has not been able to get UGC funds till date due to shortage of staff. As per the UGC norms, the university should have at least 30 permanent teachers - six in each department. Vice-Chancellor DN Jena said shifting to semester system is a step towards getting UGC funding. He is positive about meeting the faculty requirement in the subsequent months and plans to manage the show currently with guest faculty. “Government has sanctioned to fill up 34 teaching posts and we are hopeful of completing the recruitment process in a few months,” he added.
Meanwhile, the university will start offering MPhil in Hindustani Vocal, Painting, Instrumentation Music and Drama from this year. MPhil course has been stopped in the university since 2008 due to faculty shortage.