Updated on: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Further delay in implementation of Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) may give Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) tough time in days to come. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has reminded the universities and colleges to implement CBCS at the earliest as it would be linked with accreditation as well as UGC funding.
The letter, sent by joint secretary of the UGC on October 16, said the UGC's action plan for academic and administrative reforms during the XIth Plan should be implemented at the earliest. The action plan comprised aspects like semester system, choice-based credit system, curriculum development, admission procedures and examination reforms. However, implementation of the action plan seems to be a distant reality for the varsity as the commission has fixed the deadline of November 30 for completing the process. "It is almost impossible to implement the action plan as varsity is not able to successfully implement semester system properly and nothing has been done on the front of examination reforms. Implementing CBCS is a distant dream for the varsity whereas NAAC inspection is pending this year," said a source.
The UGC had written to higher education institutes in January 2008 and March 2009 regarding academic and administrative reforms for promotion of quality and excellence in higher education. In 2008, team of National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) too had suggested implementing reforms but to no avail. Strikingly, none of the universities in Madhya Pradesh has so far implemented the University Grant Commission (UGC) recommended CBCS. It is a system followed globally for its range of benefits. It permits students to choose electives from a wide range of optional courses, undergo value added courses depending upon the learner's aptitude and make the best use of the expertise of faculty across the college.
DAVV has declared 2012 as the year of academic excellence as NAAC inspection to confer grading to the university is due this year. Officials say the university, which is struggling to run the semester system on time will find it tough given the acute shortage of regular teachers and principals in various departments and affiliated colleges respectively. The varsity has more than 230 affiliated colleges and nearly 50 of them are functioning without permanent principals.
According to educationists, the dream will take a long time to realize in the universities of the state. Several universities in the neighbouring states have implemented the CBCS system and many top-ranked institutions admit students on the basis of these grades. Even Union HRD ministry and National Knowledge Commission (NKC) have recommended the system for enhancing the quality of higher education.