New hostel rules to blame as few opt for language courses

The new rules,however,have resulted in most language departments losing students.

The language departments have already been under fire from authorities for their poor performance and dipping student strength. And now,with the new rules in place,they are the ones who are feeling the heat. The innovative short-term courses and diploma courses started by various departments,too,have failed to generate much response.

Dean,Students Welfare,Professor Naval Kishore feels the new rules cannot be solely responsible for the fall. “The rules have been changed as there were many students who opted for a second language course just to avail of the hostel facility. However,this cannot be the only reason for the dip in the number of students opting for languages,” he said.

“The hostel facility is available to anyone who wants to pursue MA in any language. But the same has been made unavailable for those who wish to pursue a second master’s degree,” Kishore clarified.

The effect of the new rules,though,is visible in almost all language departments. In the Punjabi department,of the 215 seats in different courses,79 remained vacant in the 2008-09 academic session,and the number has risen to 97 in the current session.

The department had even started a number of diploma courses recently,however,they have failed to improve the response.

A similar scene prevails in the Department of Sanskrit. Of a total of 280 seats in various courses,167 remained vacant for both the present 2009-10,and the previous session. Though the authorities had decided to offer scholarships in a move to attract students,the scheme has failed to take off.

In the Urdu department,of the 195 seats under different courses,182 seats remain vacant in the current academic session. Last session also performed poorly,with 183 seats lying vacant. In the Hindi department,the scene is no better with 92 seats remaining vacant out of 120 under two courses for the 2008-09 academic session and 79 remaining vacant in the current session.

Also,there is just one student studying Chinese and none studying the Tibetan language in the Foreign Languages department.

PU authorities now plan to engage faculty members of these departments in other developmental works at the university campus for which modalities are being worked out.