Academic Council decides to offer English bridge course for foreign students

Mysuru; Two important decisions were taken at the Academic Council Meeting of the University of Mysore (UoM) held here yesterday at Crawford Hall. One was to permit the candidates who have failed the Ph.D entrance examination by just one or two marks to apply for revaluation. The other is to start a bridge course in English for the foreign students.

Out of the nearly 2,114 candidates, who appeared for the Ph.D Entrance Examination 2017-18 of the UoM, only 346 were selected, a pass percentage being a mere 16 percent.

Many have missed passing the exam by one or two marks and there was a demand from the students to at least consider a revaluation of the results.

The Academic Council of the University, chaired by the in-Charge Vice-Chancellor Prof. C. Basavaraju, decided to grant special permission for revaluation of results so that they  could become eligible to pursue a Ph.D course.

As per the Section No. 5.5 of Ph.D Regulations 2017 of UoM, the candidates who secure a minimum of 55 marks out of 100 (50 marks out of 100 in case of SC/ST/Cat-1) are declared eligible. Hence, if the candidates are missing out by just one or two marks, they have to rewrite the exams and it is in the interest of such students that this permission is being granted, said a source in the University.

It is found that many foreign students who gain admission in the University for Post Graduate Courses find it very difficult initially to cope with English language.

Hence, an English bridge course Functional English must be conducted compulsorily for one month before the    commencement of the academic year by English language experts and Rs.5,000 collected from them as fee.

Six amendments to the Ph.D  Regulation 2017 were also recommended. For instance, in the absence of the Chairman of Board of Studies instead of his or her nominee, in case he is not available, then a senior faculty must be deputed to attend  the meeting.

Approvals were given to close down Mandavya First Grade College in Mandya but before closing, the authorities of the College were asked to see that the second and third year students’ future is not affected. The meeting also approved the five-year Molecular Biology degree course offered at Yuvaraja’s College as B.Sc. Honorary degree.

The request for change of name of Hassan Government Arts College to Government Arts, Commerce and Post Graduate College has also been approved.  

Two faculties Prof. H.S. Prakash of Bio Technology and Prof. Usha Rao of the Department of Social Welfare who are attaining super-annuation have instituted gold medals by contributing Rs.1.05 lakh and Rs.1.15 lakh respectively.

Relaxation for OBCs

A few members of the Academic Council urged the in-charge Vice-Chancellor to allow for a five mark relaxation for candidates from Other Backward Classes (OBC) just as is being allowed for SC, ST students.

However, he said that a decision on this subject could only be taken by the Government and the University will write to it to consider the issue.

Registrar D. Bharathi, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. J. Somashekar, PMEB Director Prof. Yashwanth Dongre, MLC Appaji Gowda and others were present.