Choice-based system for UG courses in MU

Mangalore University (MU) will introduce Choice-based Credit System (CBCS) for undergraduate courses from the next academic year.

Mangalore University Vice Chancellor In-charge Prof Kishore Kumar C K said that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had issued guidelines for the introduction of a choice-based credit system in higher educational institutions for graduates and post graduates in 2015-15.

“Accordingly, MU introduced the CBCS for PG courses in 2016-17. The Academic Council of Mangalore University on Saturday approved of the regulations governing the CBCS for undergraduate courses in Arts, Science and Technology and Commerce,” he added.

CBCS-UG regulation framing committee chairperson Prof J Ishwar Bhat, who elaborated on the CBCS in undergraduate courses, said the system raises degrees of Mangalore University to global level.

“The system will allow students to study any subject of their choice in addition to the regular UG courses. Each course in a programme will carry certain number of credits, which will represent the weight of a course. In the proposed programme, in terms of evaluation, one credit is equivalent of 50 marks in a semester. On the basis of these parameters, a three-year course will have a maximum of 100 to 104 credits,” he explained.

Prof Bhat also said that each programme of study will have a core course, electives, foundation courses like languages, Constitution of India, human rights, gender and equality, and environmental studies. The elective courses will provide exposure to other disciplines and domains to students along with help to nurture proficiency and skills of students. The students should opt for any one of the elective courses in each semester, he added.

“In addition, students get extra credits by availing of massive open online courses (MOOCs), which are a part of MHRD’s Swayam (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) initiative that envisages offering online courses to students by faculty members of the Centre-funded institutions. A maximum of 20% of the total credits can be earned through MOOCs by choosing courses offered under the platform. The credits earned under Swayam platform are also transferable from one institution to another,” Prof Bhat explained further.

“A student is eligible to take additional courses under MOOCs if he/she earns extra credits. These would be considered additional Swayam or MOOCs but not for grading or ranking,” he said.

When some members raised the issue of offering languages in Second Year, Registrar Prof A M Khan said that the guidelines of CBCS had been framed according to the guidelines issued by the UGC.

When the issue of a need to introduce subjects like family, tackling stress and other related subjects to lead a content life was raised Prof Khan said that a committee will be constituted to decide on the inclusion of general subjects like tackling stress and communicative English as electives under the CBCS. The committee will frame the guidelines for such subjects, he added.

The Academic Council also approved of extension of autonomous status to St Aloysius College and St Agnes College for a period of 5 years till 2021-2022 while the autonomous status of St Anne’s College of Education was extended for a period of 10 years till 2027-2028.

The Council also approved the affiliation of MSc in Chemistry at Dr G Shankar Government Women’s First Grade College at Ajjarakadu in Udupi.