Latest news with #UniversityofCalicut
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Textbook on knowledge systems: Calicut varsity to take decision on June 11
The University of Calicut is expected to take a decision soon on whether to follow Knowledge Systems of Kerala, the textbook brought out by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) as the compulsory multi-disciplinary course of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP), or use its own syllabus prepared for the purpose. A senior official told The Hindu on Sunday (June 8, 2025) that a steering committee for undergraduate courses would meet on June 11 to discuss the issue. The course is mandatory for third-semester students. The KSHEC's publication in English and Malayalam covers Kerala's traditional knowledge, including cultural practices, oral narratives, performing arts, and documented literary sources. Vice-Chancellors of State universities were requested to direct their Boards of Studies to consider it a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. A section of academics, however, had objected to the council imposing the textbook on universities, saying it was an infringement on the authority of the statutory academic bodies tasked with curriculum development. Meanwhile, in a letter to Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran, Senate member Abida Farooqui sought to clear the confusion over the issue. She pointed out that the university's Board of Studies had prepared the syllabus for the Kerala Knowledge Systems course in line with the National Education Policy framework in 2024. It was later vetted by the Academic Council and faculty members. Ms. Farooqui claimed that prescribing a uniform syllabus—one that would have to be taught in translation by the departments of English, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, and other languages—went against the grain of academic autonomy. She said that textbooks had already been prepared and classes had begun based on the university's syllabus. Ms. Farooqui added that the university should proceed with its own syllabus and inform the council of its decision.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Concern over revision of FYUGP regulations in Calicut varsity
A section of academics has expressed concern over the decision of the academic council of the University of Calicut to revise a clause in the regulations for the four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUGP) related to the selection of minor courses. According to sources, clause 7.2.13 of the regulations earlier said, 'Students in major with minor pathway shall choose all the courses from two minor groups offered by a discipline other than their major discipline. In some cases, students are allowed to take both the major and minor courses offered by the same teaching department, provided that the said minor courses belong to a discipline other than the major discipline.' However, it was revised by the academic council in its meeting on August 17, 2024, following a directive from the Higher Education department. The revised clause states: 'Students in major with minor pathway shall choose all the courses from two minor groups offered by a discipline other than their major discipline.' P. Sulfi, Senate member of the university, in a letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, pointed out that this would affect the academic and career prospects of students, especially those pursuing BCom courses across affiliated colleges that offer limited programmes. He claimed that if the revised clause was implemented, Commerce students would be restricted from opting for minors that align with their academic interests and career aspirations. In SARBTM Government College, Koyilandy, Kozhikode, these students would be forced to choose Physics, Mathematics, or History. In Government Arts and Science College, Nilambur, Malappuram, the students would be left with only Malayalam or Geography. In KTM College of Advanced Studies, Karuvarakkundu, they have no choice but to opt for Arabic, being the only other discipline available. Mr. Sulfi said that there was also a possibility of disruption of the interdisciplinary commerce curriculum. Commerce education is inherently interdisciplinary, encompassing Business Law, Information Technology, Accounting, and Management. The revised clause undermines this integration and narrows academic exposure. He said that it could also have a negative impact on career readiness and employability. Minor courses in related domains such as Professional Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Tourism, and Business Analytics enhance their job readiness. Restricting the choices negatively affects students' competitiveness in the job market. Since many Commerce students pursue professional certifications such as CA, CMA, and CS, related minors support and align with these professional aspirations. Denial of these options hampers systematic preparation, he said. Official sources in the university, however, said that the clause was revised as it was not in line with the concept of the FYUGP and the National Education Policy. Mr. Sulfi, meanwhile, urged the Chancellor to allow the Board of Studies the autonomy to design minor courses with distinct academic identity. The boards should also be permitted to develop minor courses suitable for the students of parent departments in clearly distinct areas from the major stream.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Calicut varsity gets ₹10 crore as research grant
The University of Calicut has been sanctioned a research grant for ₹10 crore under the Union government's Department of Science and Technology's Anusandhan National Research Foundation. The grant is under the Partnership for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research project, a release said on Friday (May 23). According to sources, the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, is the hub of the project, totalling ₹100 crore, and institutions such as the National Institute of Technology, Nagaland, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, West Bengal, Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, Pondicherry University, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and Bangalore University, Karnataka, are part of it. The sources said that the study would focus on practical and computational studies on functional materials involving LED applications and biomaterials for cancer diagnosis. The department of Chemistry, Physics, Nanoscience, and Zoology would jointly work on it. Rajeev S. Menon is the principal investigator, while K.P. Zuhail, K. Drisya, K. Fazalurahman, E.S. Shibu, N.K. Renuka, T. Mohamed Shahin, Susmita De, Vijisha K. Rajan, T.D. Suja, R. Binu, and K. Sindhu are the co-investigators.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Researchers can make use of Kerala-related documents at British Library'
Researchers from Kerala can make use of the scientifically arranged documents related to the State's history at the British Library in London, Arani Ilankuberan, Head of South Asian Collections there, has said. She was at the University of Calicut at Tenhipalam in Malappuram on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) to attend a workshop organised by the Political Science department and the Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Mappila Kala Academy. Ms. Ilankuberan was part of a team from the British Library that visited the campus to showcase some of their valuable documents in Malayalam, Sanskrit, and Arabi-Malayalam on Kerala's medieval history. Abbas Panakkal, a researcher who attended the workshop, said that the library has a gold plate on which the Zamorin of Calicut and the Dutch East India Company signed a treaty in 1691, and another silver plate on which a treaty was signed in 1710. Pasquale Manzo, who is in charge of the Sanskrit documents, said that the documents written in Sanskrit, Tibetan and Indian languages during the reign of the British East India Company would be essential for the study of Indian culture and history. Marina Chellini, another library official, spoke about the documents from north India.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Calicut varsity plans to seek CSR funds for development projects
The University of Calicut is planning to seek funds under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme of companies and from philanthropic individuals for some of its future development projects. A Syndicate meeting held on the campus at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district on April 28 approved a proposal for the purpose, moved by Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran to take up 11 such projects. According to sources, the projects are, a centre for music and performing studies, student science centre, placement and training centre, renovation of the auditorium at the Dr. John Matthai Centre in Thrissur under the university that also houses the School of Drama, interpretation centre and meeting hall at the botanical garden, convention centre and new library complex, a multi-purpose centre titled Unity Square, new ladies' hostel, open stage and architectural beautification, Freedom Park in memory of the Independence struggle, and an international hostel and guest house. The proposal says that the work shall be conducted by the university or an external agency decided by the grantor organisation. It will be based on a memorandum of understanding signed between the university and the organisation. Such buildings or facilities shall remain the property of the university. Based on individual cases, branding or commemoration of such buildings shall be permitted based on mutual agreement. It shall also be possible for the agencies/individuals to construct the facility and hand it over to the university on mutually agreeable terms and conditions. The mode of operations and auditing for such expenditure shall be as per the terms and conditions arrived at jointly by the university and the donor agency. Mr. Raveendran points out in the proposal that the major source of funding for the university continues to be the limited grants received from the government. As a people's university, it is essential to involve the community in the university's developmental journey and vision, he says.
