2 min readNew DelhiJul 16, 2014 12:30 AM IST
First published on: Jul 16, 2014 at 12:30 AM IST
The effect of the Delhi University’s Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) controversy is beginning to show on other varsities in the country, with private universities that came up recently promising a new-age curriculum also beginning to feel the heat.
Sources told The Indian Express that the closely watched Ashoka University, which is set to begin its first academic session in September, has agreed to restructure its original FYUP to a three year one, in line with the University Grants Commission’s directions.
It is learnt the issue was discussed between the varsity administration and UGC after the DU controversy, and the new university finally agreed to restructure its academic programmes accordingly. Currently, the university website mentions that “Ashoka offers a four year undergraduate liberal education”, including two years of foundation courses, third year where students can choose pure majors besides social internships, and electives in the last semester.
The UGC is learnt to have written to all universities, reminding them that courses must be in keeping with the National Policy of Education that mandates a 10+2+3 format — the same argument used by the higher education regulator to get DU to scrap the FYUP. It had also previously reminded varsities that in case they intend to bring any new or innovative academic programme that may not fit the existing regulatory mechanisms, they must inform UGC at least six months prior to commencing such a course. Also, all due processes and approvals must be taken before such a course is started, it said.
The Shiva Nadar University, which also offers certain four year undergraduate programmes, has also drawn the attention at the UGC.
Ashoka University recently said that renowned social scientist Prof Andre Beteille will be its Chancellor and historian Rudrangshu Mukherjee its Vice-Chancellor.
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