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The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Should learning languages be a part of higher education?
In India's culturally and linguistically complex environment, language has a purpose beyond mere communication; it is a passage to deeper insight, closer ties, and greater chances. Yet in most universities today, language is taught only as an elective only if it relates to a student's individual interest or profession. As India and the rest of the globe become increasingly interconnected, it poses a valid question: must another language have to be learned in college as a compulsory course of study? India officially recognises 22 languages as per the Eighth Schedule, according to the Census of India 2011. This multilingualism is not limited to culture or tradition; it is deeply connected to how services, governance, and businesses operate in India. With growing urbanisation, graduates employed in healthcare, administration, development, or education tend to be posted in areas where the predominant language may not be not their own. Here, proficiency in a local language adds not just to professional competence but also helps build confidence and rapport with people. Compulsory language education in a university setting can instil this important skill early so that students are ready for the multilingual environment they will work in. Cognitive gains The gains in cognition due to learning a language are well documented. A study conducted in 2022 by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported that people who were bilingual or multilingual displayed enhanced memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. The study also documented heightened decision-making skills and flexibility... all abilities very important to competence in any field. For young people in demanding academic courses, in particular, multilingualism creates mental agility. It supports executive function following a plan, organising and alternating between activities efficiently. Language learning is more than learning vocabulary and grammar; it involves stimulating several areas of the brain to facilitate analytical thinking and interdisciplinary understanding. It helps improve academic performance, enhance retention, fosters creative and bestows a critical intellectual advantage. In a job market where versatility is prized, language skills can be a differentiator. Banking and finance, healthcare, education, hospitality, logistics, and even e-commerce are assigning greater importance to employees who can reach out to India's multi-lingual population. The rise of regional media, state-level governance, and grassroots development programmes have also created demand for professionals fluent in local languages. Moreover, as Indian businesses expand globally, bilingual or trilingual professionals fluent in English and an international language like Mandarin, Spanish, or French are increasingly sought after. By embedding language learning in higher education, students can gain not just academic enrichment but also a practical skill that expands their career horizon. Flexible system Although the argument in favour of requiring language learning is compelling, it has to be implemented with regard to academic diversity. A single requirement for all programmes can become a source of pressure, particularly in disciplines that have strict course structures like Medicine, Engineering, or Law. Alternatively, universities can follow a tiered or modular system. Language credits must be made obligatory but flexible and offer a combination of Indian and international languages based on student requirements and career aspirations. Courses may incorporate functional language instruction, professional communication modules, or vocabulary in areas of specialisation so that they are relevant and motivating. For example, medical students may study colloquial Hindi or Tamil to interact with patients, while business students may study Mandarin or Spanish to facilitate overseas operations. Language is more than an academic subject; it's a fundamental skill for navigating India's pluralistic society and succeeding in a complex workplace environment. By incorporating language acquisition into higher education as a mandatory and well-integrated component, universities can prepare students with building blocks of cognitive development, cultural understanding, and practical skills. The writer is the CEO of Globeducate, India.
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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Delhi University blames glitch after 'Muslim' listed as language on form
Delhi University (DU) found itself under fire this week when applicants discovered that its undergraduate admission portal listed 'Muslim' under the 'mother tongue' section while omitting Urdu, a language recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Screenshots of the form spread rapidly on social media, prompting academics, civil-society groups and political commentators to accuse the university of conflating religion with language and sidelining a key marker of India's cultural heritage. In a statement, DU said the mistake was 'inadvertent' and purely clerical. 'The University of Delhi sincerely regrets the inadvertent error in its admission form. We acknowledge your concerns and are committed to addressing them. However, attributing ulterior motives to this entirely unintentional oversight is unwarranted. We request all not to vitiate the University's diverse and harmonious environment,' the statement read. The portal was temporarily taken offline, corrected to include Urdu, and restored. University officials have not offered a detailed explanation of how the dropdown was generated. Faculty say 'problem runs deeper' Several faculty members dismissed the idea that the episode was a routine glitch. 'This is not an innocent mistake,' Abha Dev Habib, a former Executive Council member, told news agency ANI. 'Conflating religion with language is ignorant and dangerous.' Mithuraaj Dhusiya, who also serves on the Executive Council, warned that mistakes like these damage the university's inclusive image. "Urdu is an essential part of India's cultural heritage," Dhusiya said. At Kirori Mal College, professor Rudrashish Chakraborty called the portrayal of 'Muslim' as a language 'a worrying attempt to misrepresent India's largest minority community". He stressed that Urdu is a secular language spoken by Indians of many faiths. Beyond the dropdown error, teachers have questioned the terminology DU employs on official forms. 'The term 'mother tongue' is colloquial. Academic institutions should instead use 'native language' or 'first language' for clarity,' a professor from the English department said. DU launches course on love, jealousy Earlier this month, Delhi University announced that it will introduce a unique course titled 'Negotiating Intimate Relationships' for undergraduate students across disciplines from the 2025–26 academic session. Designed by the Department of Psychology, it will address Gen-Z's struggles with love, breakups, and emotional health. 'The course will cover romance, friendship, jealousy, and heartbreak,' DU said. With three lectures and a tutorial each week, it is open to Class XII graduates with basic psychology knowledge. The initiative follows a spate of violent crimes in Delhi linked to toxic relationships, underscoring the urgent need for emotional literacy among youth. (With agency inputs)
News18
22-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
DU Clarifies 'Error' Listing Muslim As Mother Tongue In Admission Form, Calls it 'Oversight'
Last Updated: Urdu, a language spoken by many Muslims in India and officially recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, from the list was excluded from the list. Delhi University's undergraduate admission portal, which launched on Thursday, June 20, included a communally insensitive error that has caused significant outrage. In the mother tongue section, 'Muslim" was erroneously listed as an option. This mistake was compounded by the exclusion of Urdu, a language spoken by many Muslims in India and officially recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, from the list. Addressing the issue, Delhi University called the matter 'unintentional oversight" and said it was an 'error" on the varsity's part. 'The University of Delhi sincerely regrets the inadvertent error in its admission form. We acknowledge your concerns and are committed to addressing them. However, attributing ulterior motives to this entirely unintentional oversight is unwarranted. We request all, not to vitiate the University's diverse and harmonious environment," DU posted on microblogging site, X. Delhi University launched the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) portal for undergraduate admissions for the 2025-26 academic year on June 17. The university is offering 79 courses across 69 affiliated colleges, with a total of 71,624 seats available for the upcoming academic session. Undergraduate admissions this year will be determined solely by CUET-UG 2025 scores. Initially, students must register using their CUET UG roll number. They will then need to provide personal details, educational qualifications, category certificate (if applicable), and EWS or PWD certificate. Additional documents must also be uploaded to the portal. While CUET UG scores are automatically uploaded, students must ensure all their details are correctly entered. Based on this information, students can then select their preferred courses and colleges in the second phase. First Published: June 21, 2025, 15:00 IST
NDTV
21-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Clerical Error": Delhi University After Muslim Listed Under 'Language' On Admission Form
New Delhi: Delhi University on Saturday clarified that the listing of "Muslim" as a 'mother tongue' and the omission of Urdu from its undergraduate admission form was a "clerical error", after the move triggered widespread criticism from academics and civil society. In a statement, the university said, "The University of Delhi sincerely regrets the inadvertent error in its admission form. We acknowledge your concerns and are committed to addressing them. However, attributing ulterior motives to this entirely unintentional oversight is unwarranted. We request all not to vitiate the University's diverse and harmonious environment." The clarification came after screenshots of the application portal began circulating online, showing "Muslim" in the list of languages under the 'mother tongue' section, while Urdu -- a constitutionally recognised language under the Eighth Schedule -- was missing. The university's admission portal was briefly taken down and restored later. While DU has not yet released a detailed explanation on how the error occurred, officials claimed that the form has since been corrected and Urdu reinstated. However, the issue has sparked strong academic and political pushback, with several teachers' groups calling it more than just a technical oversight. "This is not an innocent mistake," said Abha Dev Habib, former member of DU's Executive Council. "The error reflects deep-seated biases -- conflating religion with language is not just ignorant, it's communal." Faculty members across departments echoed concerns that the incident reflects a "slippage in institutional integrity". Dr Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a member of DU's Executive Council, said, "Mistakes like these damage the university's inclusive image. Urdu is not just a language -- it is an essential part of India's cultural and literary legacy." The issue has also prompted a wider discussion about linguistic representation in higher education institutions. Rudrashish Chakraborty, a professor at Kirori Mal College, said, "The portrayal of 'Muslim' as a language suggests a worrying attempt to misrepresent India's largest minority community. Urdu is a secular language spoken by people of all faiths." Teachers also questioned the language used in the form itself. "The term 'mother tongue' is colloquial. Academic institutions should instead be using 'native language' or 'first language' for clarity," said a professor from DU's English department.
India Gazette
21-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
DU calls 'Muslim' as language a clerical error after outrage over Urdu omission
New Delhi (India) June 21 (ANI) Delhi University on Saturday clarified that the listing of 'Muslim' as a 'mother tongue' and the omission of Urdu from its undergraduate admission form was a 'clerical error', after the move triggered widespread criticism from academics and civil society. In a statement, the university said, 'The University of Delhi sincerely regrets the inadvertent error in its admission form. We acknowledge your concerns and are committed to addressing them. However, attributing ulterior motives to this entirely unintentional oversight is unwarranted. We request all not to vitiate the University's diverse and harmonious environment.' The clarification came after screenshots of the application portal began circulating online, showing 'Muslim' in the list of languages under the 'mother tongue' section, while Urdu -- a constitutionally recognised language under the Eighth Schedule -- was missing. The university's admission portal was briefly taken down and restored later. While DU has not yet released a detailed explanation on how the error occurred, officials claimed that the form has since been corrected and Urdu reinstated. However, the issue has sparked strong academic and political pushback, with several teachers' groups calling it more than just a technical oversight. 'This is not an innocent mistake,' said Abha Dev Habib, former member of DU's Executive Council. 'The error reflects deep-seated biases -- conflating religion with language is not just ignorant, it's communal.' Faculty members across departments echoed concerns that the incident reflects a 'slippage in institutional integrity'. Dr Mithuraaj Dhusiya, a member of DU's Executive Council, said, 'Mistakes like these damage the university's inclusive image. Urdu is not just a language -- it is an essential part of India's cultural and literary legacy.' The issue has also prompted a wider discussion about linguistic representation in higher education institutions. Rudrashish Chakraborty, a professor at Kirori Mal College, said, 'The portrayal of 'Muslim' as a language suggests a worrying attempt to misrepresent India's largest minority community. Urdu is a secular language spoken by people of all faiths.' Teachers also questioned the language used in the form itself. 'The term 'mother tongue' is colloquial. Academic institutions should instead be using 'native language' or 'first language' for clarity,' said a professor from DU's English department. (ANI)
