Exposure programmes widen students' horizons

REFORM IN higher education is hot topic for boardroom discussions. Curriculum restructuring is an issue which could provoke hours of brainstorming. But even as these long drawn moves are stuck in theoretical rhetoric, a silent, subtle trend is afoot to open fresh windows of alternative perspectives to students. Out-of-syllabus, at least for some, is not a negative phrase anymore.

Exposure programmes, that was a trend triggered by a few educational NGOs who felt students had to know of a world which their curriculum never talked about -- marginalised communities, of economic exploitation, social ostracisation. The textbooks had no chapters on them. And still don't. But the new realisation could effect a change, at least a twist.

Inside a Communicative English classroom in the city's Mount Carmel College, "Religious Fundamentalism" has unleashed a debate. A week's research, long hours in the library, culminates in a lively interactive session. A panel discussion is on, the participants, resembling those thoroughbred television professionals, sport a defiant seriousness.

The experience for the II year B.A. students is novel, a revelation. "You learn things quicker. The research and all that work makes learning effective. And the interaction gives us an opportunity to share our thoughts and views which would otherwise be very private," says a student. The ideas which emerge broaden perspectives, widens the bookish notions. Today, politics, for her is not a taboo word. "It is most interesting," she says.

Away from the city's glare, a nondescript Government college has a few students gathered around this guest. Her views on dalits and their identity provoke a debate. Speaking publicly perhaps for the first time, the students open up, let out their hopes, their ambitions. And later they wonder, why our textbooks never gave this perspective.

Yet, these positive images are not the rule. Even in Mount Carmel, the opportunity is limited to B.A. (Communicative English). For the rest, like most colleges, teaching is need- based. Memory is power. Examination is king. But this rule has the potential to change. A few have shown the lead, the rest could follow.

NCLI franchisee in City: The Chicago-based National Computer Learning Institute (NCLI) has opened its Master Franchisee in Bangalore to provide training in Computer Software and Hardware. On offer are widely sought after courses such as MCSE, NETWORK +, C ++, FIBRE OPTICS, JAVA and ORACLE 8i.

The novelty here is reinforced through the "Mentor Concept", a new word for close coordination between the students and teachers. Here, the students are continuously guided by the teachers throughout their career. The student could confide in his mentor like a friend.

NCLI's identity card helps students use the institute's facilities worldwide. Besides, they have free access to NCLI libraries. A Mobile Rack System provides a detachable unit with in-built hard disc to enable the students to browse through the entire course material from day one to the last.

Examinations at NCLI are online. Question papers are downloaded from the headquarters at Chicago, evaluation is online and results are out within 24 hours. Certificates arrive from the U.S.

Repeaters have a free option. If students, by any unforeseen circumstances, fails to perform after the course completion, they could repeat the course without a repeat fee. Further details on the course could be obtained from Ph: 5512319.

Alumni meet: For the old students of the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), it is time for a reunion. Right here in Bangalore. The second meeting of the JNU Forum, a body of the alumni, will be held at the Indian Social Institute on October 11 and 12.

The Institute of Business Management and Technology has invited all "JNUites" from the Southern region, particularly Karnataka to participate. Those interested may register their names over ph: 6790517, 6792674, 6792794 and on e-mail: jnuforum@indiatimes.com

Rasheed Kappan.

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