Latest news with #UGCF
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
DU to launch MA in Hindi journalism course from 2025 session
Delhi University's (DU) standing committee on academic matters (SCOAM) on Friday approved the introduction of a master's programme in Journalism in Hindi starting from the 2025–26 academic session, according to at least three committee members. The committee met to discuss the syllabi for the seventh and eighth semesters of select undergraduate courses, along with several postgraduate programmes. Committee member Ram Kishore Yadav confirmed that the Hindi medium journalism course will be launched under the Hindi department this academic year. 'A corresponding master's programme in Journalism in English medium, under the English department, is scheduled to begin from the 2026–27 academic session,' he said. The proposal will now move to the academic council for final approval before implementation. The MA in Hindi Journalism, under the Faculty of Arts, has been designed as per the postgraduate curriculum framework (PGCF). This month, SCOAM held three earlier meetings—on May 2, 6, and 8—to finalise a number of syllabi changes, many of which have since been approved by both the academic and executive councils, though not without dissent. These meetings largely focused on the syllabi for the upcoming seventh and eighth semesters for the inaugural batch of four-year undergraduate students. In Friday's meeting, the committee approved fourth-year syllabi for departments such as BA Education, BA (Programme and Honours) Hindustani Music, and Geography. All undergraduate syllabi tabled followed the undergraduate curriculum framework (UGCF). Postgraduate syllabi from departments of philosophy, economics, geography, sociology, political science, and mathematics were also reviewed, based on the PGCF. 'Most syllabi were approved without significant changes,' Yadav added.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
DU Vice-Chancellor: ‘Fourth year a good step for growth of students… will shape them into bright citizens'
Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh defends the flexibility provided by the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022 under which the four-year undergraduate degree is being rolled out this year, outlines the rationale behind its design, and explains how the varsity plans to address concerns being raised across campuses. DU is moving into the fourth year of undergraduate education for the first time. What is the strategy? Our strategy is to ensure maximum students join the fourth-year programme. We were giving three tracks for Honours students, but now we have introduced an additional track for Programme students in which the student can complete the fourth year only by studying coursework, without taking on projects. This will be particularly beneficial for students of SOL (School of Open Learning) and NCWEB (Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board), but all three other tracks are also available to them. So, it is up to the student. The implementation of UGCF is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 rollout. How do you see this benefiting students in the long run? The four-year degree has come from NEP 2020. Fourth year is essential and it's a good step for the growth of students… shaping them into the bright citizens of our country. But if someone wants to pursue research, they can pursue a PhD too. But if one wants to pursue post-graduation (PG), a one-year PG will also be available for students. It's a student-centric choice-based system, and students don't have to run around unnecessarily. The fourth year will be a terminal degree, and it is a flexible system. The UGC has directed institutions to adopt an '8 to 8' teaching schedule to accommodate academic load. How is DU responding to this? Worldwide, universities run for longer periods in a day… (having classes) 8 am to 8 pm is a good concept. Infrastructure will improve in colleges… already (infrastructure) is improving based on the need and capacity demanded by students. Confusion on campus is natural, as this is being implemented for the first time. But this will stabilise as we go forward. Research is now central to undergraduate education. Are DU colleges and faculty prepared for this shift? Research is very important for higher education institutions. Worldwide, if you look at big universities, they are all research-oriented… This is definitely going to be a shift for our teachers. Colleges are already submitting requests to the UGC for additional postings. For the fourth year to begin smoothly, we've made arrangements for guest faculty and teachers would be paid and given incentives for putting in extra hours. If teachers take up extra courses, they will be paid an additional Rs 50,000. Many teachers will be happy with this.' A concern raised by faculty and students is that BA Programme students are being denied 'Honours with Research' tag, even after completing the 4th year. Is this justified? We don't think it's unfair. The students have been admitted into the BA Programme and not under Honours and will be leaving with an Honours degree at the end of four years. This is because the focus of BA Programme students is not on a particular discipline. After the third year, they will focus on the main discipline and will be awarded an Honours. For Science students, research requires lab space and specialised equipment. How will DU address these needs? Requirements and expansion of labs will be decided based on how many students will join the fourth year. We will get a clear idea of the total number of students in August. If there are challenges, we will create additional infrastructure. We can also think about permitting students to use labs in various departments, depending on availability.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
At DU, No ‘Research' Degree For BA Prog
New Delhi: Students enrolled in Delhi University 's BA (Programme), BSc (Programme), and BCom (Programme) courses will not be awarded the " Honours with Research " degree even if they complete fourth year with a dissertation or academic project — unlike their counterparts in Honours is now planning to offer an alternative fourth-year structure for these students under the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework, (UGCF) 2022, which replaces research work with extra Discipline Specific Electives and short skill-based courses. The move is aimed at easing implementation for large cohorts, particularly from the School of Open Learning (SOL) and Non-Collegiate Women's Education Board (NCWEB). Under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) structure, students get an undergraduate certificate after the first year, a diploma after the second year, a bachelor's degree after the third year, and they are eligible for a bachelor's degree with Honours or Honours with Research after the fourth year, provided they choose to complete a research change was presented as an agenda item in the university's academic council meeting held last week and approved. The approval was for "the introduction of a flexibility for the 4th year of UG Programmes of the UGCF 2022, which are conventionally referred to as 'Programme Courses' namely, BA (P), BSc (P) and BCom (P)."According to the proposal, the fourth-year structure under FYUP currently includes three approved tracks for all undergraduate students: dissertation writing, academic projects, and DU noted that implementing these tracks for Programme course students — especially those from SOL and NCWEB — would be difficult due to their large numbers. "The operationalisation of the three tracks may be challenging in view of the quantum of students who may possibly progress to fourth year. There was thus a need to bring in some flexibility," the agenda has particularly drawn attention is the clarification that even if Programme course students choose to undertake dissertations or academic projects, they will still not be eligible for the "Honours with Research" degree. Instead, these students will simply be awarded an "Honours" degree after completing fourth year, unlike Honours programme students who qualify for a more advanced "Honours with Research" title if they complete a research component in their final year."In this regard, it was noted that students pursuing BA (P) or BSc (P) or BCom (P) will get a simple degree after completion of 3rd year and an Honours degree after completing fourth year. Such students will not get the 'Honours with Research' degree after completion of the 4th year even if such students write 'Dissertation' or do Academic Projects," the document address this gap, the university has proposed an alternate fourth-year structure specifically for BA (P), BSc (P), and BCom (P) students who either do not wish to opt for or cannot be accommodated under the standard research or entrepreneurship tracks. Under the alternative plan, students would instead complete additional Discipline Specific Electives (DSEs) and a 2-credit skill-based course or workshop in each of the final two semesters. These skill-based modules may include laboratory work, hands-on training or structure will amount to 22 credits per semester in the final year, combining core papers, electives, general education components, and skill courses. However, DU clarified that this flexibility will not be extended to students of Honours programmes, where the traditional "Honours with Research" track remains intact. Critics argue that students in Programme courses—often from less privileged or non-traditional backgrounds such as those in SOL and NCWEB — are being denied equal academic opportunities despite putting in similar years of study and effort.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Are DU and students ready for new 4-year UG programme?
Third-year undergraduate students at Delhi University stand at the cusp of a landmark academic year. In a few weeks, the varsity will roll out the final lap of its first-ever four-year undergraduate programme, introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The new model, implemented through the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) 2022, allows students to either exit after completing the traditional three years or continue for a fourth. In this additional year, students can choose to write a dissertation, undertake academic or field projects, or pursue entrepreneurship. To be sure, DU already offers some four-year programmes — such as the Bachelor of Elementary Education and the degree at the Cluster Innovation Centre — but 2025 marks the first time that all undergraduate streams are expected to participate in the revamped format. University officials and college principals have begun outlining curricula, training teachers, and upgrading infrastructure in preparation. Still, uncertainty clouds the rollout. Students and faculty say there is a lack of clarity around the structure, expectations, and feasibility of the fourth year, especially given the limited time, training, and infrastructure available. Anita Rampal, former dean of the Faculty of Education, said, 'The programme is worrying. Courses are designed so hastily that there's little time for meaningful research. Teachers lack training in some areas, and students may end up chasing projects just for credits. It's a system detached from real learning, which could affect the university's academic foundation for years.' Preparations and expectations Colleges have begun preparations. At a recent training session at Hansraj College, Ratnabali K, DU's dean of academic affairs, outlined what's expected. For students opting to write a dissertation, outcomes include identifying a research problem, reviewing literature, and formulating a design. Science students can start pilot experiments or field studies. The entrepreneurship track involves presenting two business ideas, conducting market surveys, and creating project timelines. 'We're also providing week-by-week plans to help students stay on track,' Ratnabali said. The eighth semester will focus on completing and realising these ideas — whether as research papers, product prototypes, or potential patents. To prepare students, some colleges have introduced relevant courses earlier. Dinesh Khattar, principal of Kirori Mal College, said, 'We offered research methodology as an optional paper in the sixth semester and formed a faculty committee to oversee implementation.' At Ramjas College, principal Ajay Kumar Arora said most arrangements are in place, though some adjustments may be needed. 'We may need to outsource lab staff or extend class timings beyond 5pm. But it will come together,' he said. DU officials remain optimistic. Raj Kishore Sharma, dean of research, noted that colleges can share infrastructure and resources to meet new demands. At Sri Venkateswara College, principal Vajala Ravi said they are renovating older bamboo structures on campus to create additional classrooms. 'Problems arise whenever something new is introduced. But we're committed to solving them,' said DU registrar Vikas Gupta. 'We've been holding teacher training sessions and tweaking timetables to accommodate the extra load.' Worries and confusion Despite these assurances, many students and teachers remain sceptical. Abha Dev, associate professor of physics at Miranda House, called the plan 'irrational.' 'Expecting undergraduates to publish research or develop patents in a single year is unrealistic. Without proper input and preparation, the output being demanded is impossible,' she said. Biswajit Mohanty, a political science teacher at Deshbandhu College, echoed similar concerns. 'There's no infrastructure to support this kind of curriculum. Many students want to opt out entirely. For smaller colleges, that's a financial risk — they may invest in labs that no one ends up using.' While DU offered preparatory papers like research methodology and entrepreneurship in the sixth semester, students say they're still unsure whether the fourth year is worth it. Sneha, a chemistry student at a North Campus college, said, 'We don't have enough information. I'm torn between doing the fourth year and preparing for postgraduate admissions.' Diya Pal, a third-year history student, said, 'We've only been told more details will come soon. Both my parents have PhDs — I want to go down the same path. This model might save time, but I'm unsure if it will really help.' Sohan Kumar, a BA Programme student from Zakir Hussain College, called the additional year 'a waste.' 'It doesn't match the depth of a two-year master's. I'd rather apply separately for a postgraduate course.' Even students who opted for preparatory courses said implementation was shaky. Isha Yadav, a journalism student, took research methodology in her sixth semester. 'It gave us a basic idea about dissertations, but teachers weren't always confident. The syllabus was solid, but execution lacked depth,' she said. Others are more hopeful. Gourvi Joshi, a journalism student at Lady Shri Ram College, said, 'I'm staying on for the research. It'll be useful if I want to study abroad or work in academia.' Anoushka Sinha from Hindu College plans to use the fourth year as a gap year before applying overseas. 'The optional papers don't add much value. Unless there's a robust system to teach research skills and give us time to develop them, it's just added pressure.' Rampal warned that while colleges are trying their best, the apprehension among students is real. 'DU has brilliant faculty and a diverse student body, but the confusion and stress could backfire. The fear that students might end up wasting their time is not unfounded,' she said. With inputs from Nyonika Katiyar
