Uniform syllabus to be introduced in varsities

Bhubaneswar: With the sole objective of improving the quality of higher education across the state, the Odisha government has decided to introduce uniform syllabus for undergraduate courses in all state-run universities from the current academic session (2019-2020).
Higher Education Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo informed reporters Thursday that a common syllabus will be introduced across the universities with effect from the ensuing academic session. The Minister who held a meeting of vice-chancellors of all state-run universities earlier in the day made the announcement.
“As of now, different universities are adopting different syllabuses and there is no uniformity among them. Hence, we have decided to introduce a uniform syllabus and hold examinations within a time-frame, which will help students in future while pursuing higher studies,” said Sahoo.
The implementation of uniform syllabus for undergraduate courses is to raise the quality of education and enable students to compete at the national and international levels, he pointed out.
The government had last year firmed up plans to introduce a common syllabus and a choice-based credit system. In this connection, a sub-committee comprising vice-chancellors in 2018 had recommended a common choice-based credit syllabus, common entrance for undergraduate and post-graduate courses and timely examinations.
Sahoo also advised the vice-chancellors to fill up vacant teaching posts in their respective universities and colleges affiliated to their universities as soon as possible.
The meeting also decided to extend financial aid and free coaching to 100 candidates preparing for civil service examinations every year. He instructed the VCs to ensure not a single non-student enters the university campuses.
“So far, 86 students have applied for the same and each of them would be provided with free coaching along with necessary financial assistance,” the Minister said.
Sahoo further said colleges and universities battered by severe cyclonic storm Fani have been asked to report their losses to the government for sanction of relief.