SOL implements research-based faculty development initiative
Delhi University
's School of Open Learning (SOL) is set to implement a major shift in its academic approach, aimed at enhancing the research capabilities of its faculty.
To keep educators updated with the latest developments in their respective fields, SOL will now require its teachers to regularly upgrade their knowledge and skills through active participation in research.
The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy, which places a strong emphasis on research, especially in the fourth year of UG programmes. As DU prepares to roll out the fourth year under NEP framework, officials estimate that of over 65,000 students in their third year at SOL now, around 15–20% may opt to continue into the final year. This initiative will equip teachers to mentor students during this transition.
You Can Also Check:
Delhi AQI
|
Weather in Delhi
|
Bank Holidays in Delhi
|
Public Holidays in Delhi
In the first phase, faculty members will engage directly in research activities, allowing them to deepen their subject expertise. They will also mentor students through participation in ongoing research projects, thereby bridging gap between theory and practice.
"This will not only enrich faculty members' teaching but will also help students develop a more contemporary and analytical understanding of the subject," said an official.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
When Knee Pain Hits, Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away (It's Genius)
12facts.com
Read More
Undo
"The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the learning experience by fostering a more research-oriented academic environment."
SOL is also organising sessions to train faculty in research-based tools and techniques that can be used to guide students effectively. For those seeking more information, orientation sessions will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday to explain integration of the programme into the teachers' academic responsibilities.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Is thimerosal in vaccines a hidden danger? The debate over mercury and autism risks
Picture this: a little compound humming away inside some vaccine vials since the 1930s, quietly stopping germs from crashing the vaccine party. That's thimerosal—an organomercury compound containing around 49% mercury by weight, used as a preservative in multi-dose vaccine vials to keep bacteria and fungi at bay. When vaccine manufacturers pierce the vial multiple times, contamination risk spikes—thimerosal prevents that by killing germs before they can cause trouble. Now let's talk mercury. Unlike methylmercury—which is found in fish and can build up over time—ethylmercury (the type in thimerosal) is processed and expelled quickly by your body. Government agencies and researchers say that at the tiny doses used, it's not harmful—and the only side effects observed are minor, like redness or swelling at the jab site. Reactive allergic responses are rare but possible, and often mild—even though patch testing has identified some sensitivities in 16–18% of cases, without major clinical concern Does it heighten autism risk? Back in 1999, as fears around autism and mercury exposure swirled, the CDC, FDA, National Institutes of Health, and pediatric associations recommended removing thimerosal from childhood vaccines as a precaution—not because there was proof it was dangerous. By about 2001, most vaccines for children under six in the U.S. no longer contained it; today, vaccines like MMR, chickenpox, polio, and pneumococcal never included it at all. "There is a robust body of peer-reviewed, scientific studies conducted in the United States and countries around the world that support the safety of thimerosal-containing vaccines. The scientific evidence collected over the past 20+ years does not show any evidence of harm, including serious neurodevelopmental disorders, from use of thimerosal in vaccines. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo Specifically, the Institute of Medicine (now known as the National Academy of Medicine), and others have concluded that the evidence favors rejection of a link between thimerosal and autism. Scientific studies of the risk of other serious neurodevelopmental disorders have failed to support a causal link with thimerosal," a US CDC report says. Currently, thimerosal isn't in most routine vaccines, but it still pops up in some multi-dose flu vaccine vials, especially those used in clinics or public vaccination drives where single-dose packaging isn't practical. For flu shots in the U.S., about 90–96% are thimerosal-free, but the multi-dose ones may still have up to ~25 micrograms per dose—while trace amounts might show up during manufacturing in rare vials. Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—now heading vaccine policy at HHS—appointed a new advisory panel that has started pushing to remove thimerosal entirely from flu vaccines. That move has alarmed major medical groups, warning it could reduce vaccine access in under-resourced areas and fuel fear over misunderstood risks. "Although all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger in the U.S. are available in formulations that do not contain thimerosal, thimerosal has a long record of safe and effective use in preventing bacterial and fungal contamination of vaccines, with no ill effects established other than hypersensitivity and minor local reactions at the site of injection," the CDC report adds.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Zoology beats English in DU admissions 2025—why is BSc zoology suddenly among top 3 most popular UG courses?
DU admissions 2025: In a notable shift in Delhi University (DU) undergraduate admissions for 2025, BSc (Hons) Zoology has surged into the top three most preferred courses, overtaking the long-popular BA (Hons) English. This is the first time Zoology has ranked so high in preference among DU aspirants. Rise of BSc Zoology to third position in DU admissions 2025 According to the latest data released by Delhi University, (Hons) continues to be the most sought-after course with 48,336 first-preference applications, followed by BA (Hons) Political Science with 15,295 applications. BSc (Hons) Zoology has made a surprising climb to third place, drawing 12,722 top-choice applications for 2025. This unexpected surge has pushed BA (Hons) English out of the top three, a position it held during the 2024 admissions. Why are students choosing Zoology over English (Hons)? While English literature has long held a prestigious spot in DU's arts and humanities programs, this year's preferences highlight a broader shift toward career-oriented science degrees. Students are now prioritising courses with research scope, government job eligibility, and postgraduate specialisation options, all of which BSc Zoology offers. Scope and career opportunities in Zoology Graduates with a BSc Zoology degree have access to diverse fields such as wildlife research, zoological parks, forestry services, pharmaceuticals, and academia. With rising awareness about environmental studies and biological sciences, the demand for skilled zoologists in India is expected to grow steadily over the next decade. DU admissions 2025: Academic trends More students at Delhi University are now choosing life sciences over humanities. Zoology has become one of the top three most popular courses, showing that many students are now more interested in science, research, and environmental studies than in traditional arts subjects. The Zoology department at DU is excited about this change. This also highlights the rising competition for science courses. FAQs 1. What is the cutoff for BSc Zoology admissions in DU 2025? Answer: The cutoff scores for BSc (Hons) Zoology are high this year, usually between 480 and 510 in the CUET exam (depending on the college). This is because more students are applying, so competition is tougher. 2. Why is BSc Zoology more popular than English in DU admissions 2025? Answer: More students are choosing Zoology because they are interested in science, research, and careers related to the environment. Zoology offers practical skills and good job or research opportunities. This makes it more appealing than English for many. 3. How many students applied for Zoology as their first preference in DU 2025? Answer: Around 12,722 students picked BSc (Hons) Zoology as their top choice. It is now the third most popular course, after BCom (Hons) and Political Science (Hons). 4. What career options are available after a BSc Zoology degree from DU? Answer: After studying Zoology, students can work in wildlife research, environmental consultancy, biotechnology, teaching, conservation, or go for higher studies in fields like genetics and zoology. 5. How can students apply for BSc Zoology at Delhi University in 2025? Answer: Students need to take the CUET-UG exam and then choose their preferred courses and colleges in DU's admission portal. Seats are given based on CUET scores and the course cutoff in each college. For more information on exams, results and careers, please visit Indiatimes Education.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Watch the Earth split in real time: First-ever video reveals 2.5-meter fault slip in seconds caused by an earthquake
In March 2025, central Myanmar was struck by a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake—the strongest to hit the region in over a century and one of the deadliest in its modern history. What sets this seismic event apart is the capture of the fault's sudden rupture in real time by a nearby CCTV camera, marking the first-ever video evidence of such rapid ground movement during an earthquake. The footage vividly shows the Earth's surface splitting and slipping sideways by an impressive 2.5 meters in just 1.3 seconds. This rare visual record provides scientists with an unprecedented opportunity to study the detailed mechanics of earthquake fault slips, advancing our understanding of seismic behaviour and potentially transforming how future earthquakes are analysed and predicted. Myanmar earthquake and rare real-time footage of 2.5 metre fault On March 28, 2025, the Sagaing Fault near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, ruptured in a strike-slip earthquake where two blocks of earth slid past each other horizontally. This earthquake was both powerful and deadly, shaking the region unlike any event in recent memory. What makes this event groundbreaking is the CCTV footage that captured the fault slipping in real time, a phenomenon never before recorded on video. Unlike previous studies relying on distant seismic sensors, this footage offers a direct visual record of the fault movement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Great news for Filipinos! Read More Undo Pulse-like rupture and curved slip - Analysis of Myanmar earthquake rupture Detailed analysis reveals pulse-like rupture and curved slip path Researchers from Kyoto University analyzed the footage using a pixel cross-correlation technique, measuring the fault's rapid 2.5-meter slip at speeds up to 3.2 meters per second. The slip lasted only 1.3 seconds, confirming a pulse-like rupture — a short, intense burst of movement traveling along the fault, similar to a ripple across a rug. The study also showed the fault slip path was subtly curved, challenging earlier ideas of purely linear fault ruptures and aligning with geological observations worldwide. New frontiers in earthquake science and future research This first-of-its-kind video observation offers powerful new tools for seismologists to understand fault behavior and earthquake mechanics . Capturing such detailed fault movement in real time will improve earthquake models and help better predict the ground shaking in future events, which is crucial for disaster preparedness. The research team plans to further explore the factors controlling fault slip shape and speed through physics-based simulations, hoping to unlock deeper insights into earthquake dynamics globally.
