DU's 4-yr UG prog: UGC names advisory panel to track progress

All speculation about the launch of the much-debated four-year under graduate programme by DU has been put to an end with UGC today constituting an advisory committee to track progress of its implementation and offer corrective advice on the issue of curriculum.
The five-member committee under the chairmanship of former director general of CSIR and member UGC S K Joshi was set up following a meeting chaired by HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju where the issue was discussed threadbare.
The registration for the four-year programme, which has stirred a controversy and strong opposition from a section in academia and political class, would commence from tomorrow.

Protests were organised by different bodies even as some teachers in DU and MPs made representations to the Prime Minister and the President demanding its roll back.
A UGC statement said the advisory committee would "aid and advice it on the initiatives of Delhi University (DU) in all aspects of implementation of the programme".
The commission cited the UGC Act in support of the constitution of the advisory committee.

As per the Act, "UGC can recommend to any university the measures necessary for the improvement of university education and advice the university upon the action to be taken for the purpose of implementing such recommendations".

The statement said that since the under graduate programme entails a significant departure from the existing three year degree programme, "this needs to be monitored closely in the initial stages as well as later semester for its successful implementation".
Significantly, the terms and reference entail the committee to assess implications of the under graduate programme for the post graduate degree courses in DU as well as other universities.
The advisory committee may give reports to UGC from time to time.
Along with tracking the progress of implementation, the committee would deliberate on any other issues relevant to the proposed programme and make suitable recommendations.

UGC member and director of international centre for genetic engineering and biotechnology V S Chauhan, chairman of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research Mrinal Miri, director of Tata Institute of Social Science S Parsuraman and former director of Indian Institute of Advanced Studies Bhuvan Chandel are the members of the committee.