Date:28/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/28/stories/2004032813030300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Semester system inevitable for degree courses: Thimmappa

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 27. An open-minded approach to the semester system of education is necessary, as it provided better learning conditions for students, M.S. Thimmappa, Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University, said here on Friday.

Speaking at a seminar on "Semester — a blessing or a curse?" organised by the Bangalore University College Teachers' Association and the Bangalore University First Grade College Principals' Association, Dr. Thimmappa said introduction of the semester system in undergraduate courses from the next academic year was inevitable. Workshops and discussions on this topic should be held to bring out suggestions to make the system more favourable. The university had earmarked Rs. 40 lakh this year to help conduct such workshops. He said the academic council meeting of the university would discuss the semester system, and asked teachers to give their suggestions for implementing it, so that they could be discussed at the meeting.

According to Dr.. Thimmappa, the main problems in introducing the semester system are with regard to delay in admissions and announcing results. He said conducting student-college meetings and online approvals for facilitating admissions would speed up the process. The university had already conducted such a meet. Computerisation of the examination process would solve the problem of delay in announcing results, he said.

Shobha Nambisan, Principal Secretary for Higher Education, said there should be a change in mindset among educationists so that there was more flexibility in the education system. The buzzword in higher education was quality and more emphasis should be given to this aspect.

The Federation of University College Teachers Associations of Karnataka suggested that each semester should have 90 working days. Two languages should be taught in the first four semesters, and two foundation courses should be included, apart from three interdisciplinary courses, three optional subjects and two major optional subjects. Students participating in the National Service Scheme, National Cadet Corps and sports should be given credits for these activities.