BANGALORE: The four-year course offered by Bangalore University from this year in no way resembles the controversial course offered by Delhi University, according to Dr B Thimme Gowda, Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University.
“What we are doing is completely different. Here we have just restructured the existing course,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
The university is introducing some extra-curricular courses and making education more holistic, he said.
“We are not disturbing the 10+2+3+2 structure. That will remain the same but we are giving an exit option for students after the second year,” he said.
University authorities say the new course offers multiple-exit options.
“If a candidate quits after two years, we give an advanced diploma certificate. After three years, we give a general degree certificate, and after four, an honours certificate,” explained Prof Ninge Gowda, Registrar (Evaluation). By studying yet another year, a student becomes eligible for a post-graduate certificate.
Though a Bangalore University team visited Delhi University before the ‘restructuring’, it has not recommended that model, confirmed a senior professor.
In Delhi University, it is mandatory for a student to decide about major and minor subjects before joining the course. For example, if a student wants to do her post-graduation in a major subject, she makes the choice at the beginning of the first year.
Bangalore University is not laying down such restrictions. Students are free to study as before.
The basics of the course remain the same.
Thimme Gowda said Bangalore University had not violated any University Grants Commission (UGC) rules and students need not fear scrapping of the course.
Many Bangalore students have expressed reservations in the wake of a clash between the UGC and Delhi University, leading to a scrapping of a similar course there.
“I have addressed the students, faculty and principals, and cleared all their doubts,” he said.