Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath chairs Academic Council meeting; New syllabus for PG, UG studies approved

Mysuru:  In a significant move, the University of Mysore (UoM) Academic Council meeting has resolved to reject the applications of those ineligible candidates for providing the service of Guideship for Ph.D candidates and introduce new syllabus for Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG) courses. The Academic Council meeting chaired by UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath was held at Crawford Hall here yesterday.

Dean of Arts, Prof. M.S. Shekar raised the subject of applications being received from private educational institutions, seeking permission for Guideship, despite not having the required criterion. No ineligible candidates be accorded Guideship and the applications should be approved only if they fulfil the guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC), Government, Board of Studies (BoS) and the status of probationary services.

“Those on Government pay roll, despite being eligible for Guideship, aren’t being considered for the same, but several applications are being received from ineligible candidates from the private institutions, seeking permission for Guideship. Whoever has submitted the applications haven’t furnished supportive documents about regularisation of service and other documents. If any letter seeking relevant records is sought, they have replied asking the Varsity itself to conduct a inspection on its own. Strangely, there is no signature of authorities concerned on the acknowledgement received,” said Prof. Shekar, who produced a copy of letter received in this regard.

In his reply, VC Prof. Lokanath said, the permission for Guideship can be given in compliance with the rules of BoS and UGC. While the matter related to recruitments falls under the purview of the Government.

Prof. Shekar, who questioned the rationale behind hastily considering the applications for Guideship, claimed that “I have raised the issue in the interest of maintaining the decorum of the Varsity. The decision on Guideship can be taken after discussing the subject at the annual meeting.”

Later, the Academic Council Members asserted that, the guidelines related to Guideship framed by UGC in 2017 should be followed while considering the applications, at least in the interest of encouraging research activities.

The meeting also resolved to consider applications to institute Gold Medals and Endowment Awards in the name of following personalities: Gowramma Shankarappa Endowment Fund, S.M. Krishna Cash Award, Prof. K.M. Shafiulla and Prof. H. Shekar Shetty Downy Mildew Laboratory Endowment, Prof. Y.B. Basavaraju Cash Award, C.M. Narayan Swamy and B.G. Shanthakumari Gold Medal.

Admission of additional students for BCA Course at Yuvaraja’s College was also approved at the meeting.

MLC K. Vivekananda, who took part in the Academic Council meeting for the first time, announced to institute a Gold Medal and endowment fund in the name of his parents.

Giving its stamp of approval for the newly prepared syllabus for UG and PG studies, those attending the Academic Council meeting opined that, the new syllabus was the commitment of State Government and State Education Commission. A report has been already submitted, which is expected to be released in July this year. However, we have to make minor changes if any in the syllabus, acceding to the Government  Order, informed the VC.

UoM Registrar (Administration) M.K. Savitha, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. N. Nagaraj, Finance Officer K.S. Rekha and others were present during the meeting.