Decks have been cleared for the introduction of semester system in undergraduate courses of the Delhi University,with its apex decision making body approving the long-standing proposal despite protests by a group of teachers. "The Academic Council in its meeting today passed the proposal of the semester system with overwhelming majority," said DU Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental. The proposal,which envisages introduction of semester system from the next session (2010-11),was passed amid much commotion and protests. It had run into controversy after a number of AC members affiliated to DU Teachers' Association (DUTA) opposed it contending that the move was infeasible. The protesting teachers alleged that the Vice Chancellor "undemocratically" pushed the proposal without even having a detailed discussion in the apex decision making body. "As the proposal is not feasible and several colleges have rejected it,we had asked the VC not to put it in today's agenda but he proceeded and got it passed undemocratically," J Khuntia,a member of the 174-member Academic Council said. The DUTA had been demanding a thorough discussion in the staff councils of all 80 colleges on the introduction of semester system before the matter was brought to the Council. However,Pental claimed that some colleges have only asked for a detailed blueprint for the implementation of the programme and the university will now prepare it. "We cannot stop a minority from protesting. But the majority of members have endorsed the proposal which will help in providing an international education system for our students," Pental said. "Some elected members were demanding that this proposal not be included in today's agenda. But we were requesting them to have a discussion on it as it cannot be delayed for long," he said. The University in October last year had presented a concept paper for the introduction of semester system in UG courses. It asked for increasing the number of teachers to deal with the new system. Since then,DU has tried to put up the proposal in several AC meetings but it could not proceed due to opposition form some elected members. The University has already introduced semester system in the post-graduate courses,which also operates in Jawaharlal Nehru University and the IITs. The University said semester system will allow it to accord credits for courses that shall give flexibility to students in choosing courses.
