DU undergrad in now a four-year course

New Delhi: With the 2013 admissions just months away, Delhi University has upgraded their three year undergraduate courses. Delhi University has passed a resolution to upgrade the three year undergrad course to four year courses.

The Delhi University will be upgrading their undergraduate courses with a totally different curriculum which provides freedom to students that was never available before. The university plans to give students the option to design their own degrees, as in they can choose whatever subjects they want to study, at whichever semester and from any college in Delhi University.

The Academic Council started its meeting this morning amid protests from teachers and students affiliated to Leftist organisations. The programme will entail a shift from the present 10+2+3 scheme to a four year graduation with multiple exit points and freedom to complete remaining years over a period of time.

At the meeting, the six elected members affiliated to Leftist organisations protested at the way the proposal was being pushed through as they demanded a comprehensive debate on the proposed shift. They said the proposal needs to be sent back to departments and college staff councils to be considered and debated in minute detail before the radical shift is brought, sources said as the meeting was still on.

In a joint statement, all Left teacher and student groups said the measure is at variance with the standing norm of the National Education Policy of 1992, which lays down a 10+2+3 pattern for all states and centrally funded and administered education institutions and accused DU authorities of failing to credibly consult statutory bodies like Department Councils, Committees of Courses and Faculties before deciding to pass the Four-year structure.

"In these circumstances, we are forced to conclude that the Vice-Chancellor's insistence on getting the four-year structure passed in the Academic Council is guided by extra-academic considerations and causes grievous harm to public stake in Delhi University," the statement said referring to six bills on Higher Education pending in Parliament.

With additional information from PTI