JOIN USUniform internal assessment at all varsities, colleges from next year
From the next academic year, a uniform internal assessment system will be established across all universities and autonomous institutions in the State.
The Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) approved the same on Monday, at the vice-chancellors’ meet held in the city.
All colleges will reserve 30 per cent marks for internals and 70 per cent for theory. A committee for the same had been constituted under the chairmanship of Prof B Thimme Gowda, vice-chancellor, Bangalore University and the Council accepted the recommendations of this committee.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Gowda said, “The problem with the existing system was that some autonomous colleges had 40 per cent for internals while some universities had reserved only 25 per cent. Certain institutions were lenient in giving internal assessment marks, while university students would have scored less for the same quality work. Uniformity will end this discrepancy.”
The committee has suggested two tests in every semester, adding up to 20 marks and a project work or a seminar for the rest of the 10 marks.
The second decision was pertaining to equivalence of subjects. This means that the universities have now decided to consider specialised streams in a particular subject equal to the main branch. This will increase job opportunities for the graduates. For example, MSc (Inorganic Chemistry) would be considered equal to MSc (Chemistry), by offering general Chemistry subjects in the first two semesters. This will be applicable for all courses.
Cross-disciplinary subjects
At present, students study environmental science and Indian Constitution in addition to their optional subjects in degree courses. To sensitise them to streams outside the purview of their course, the V-Cs also decided to introduce subjects in Arts, Science and Commerce as additional subjects. For instance, students in Arts stream would study basics of selected themes in general science and vice-versa.
Physical education
The Council also passed a resolution to offer physical education as an optional subject in undergraduate courses. In addition, a committee including physical education teachers of various universities has been constituted to encourage sports activities in universities. Two other committees were constituted at the meeting.
One for looking into the quality of MBA education offered in colleges across the State. Since the colleges have been struggling to fill seats, the government now wants to streamline MBA education, Prof Thimme Gowda told Deccan Herald. This committee is chaired by VTU Vice-Chancellor Maheshappa. A second committee has been constituted to check plagiarism and ensure usage of software for detection of plagiarised research work.
Among the other decisions taken were to implement uniform guidelines for remuneration of evaluators in examination work, to bring in uniform fee structure for foreign students, to start vocational courses and to start Braille centres in all varsities. The vice-chancellors, in their meeting, also saw a need to instil patriotism among students. Hence, it was decided to begin classes every day with the rendition of ‘Nada Geethe’.