Vice-Chancellor Rajan Welukar said the new credit and semester system will fundamentally change the learning process, making it more relevant and rewarding for students.
Industry complains that the university system does not prepare students for jobs.
The gap between what a student receives from the university system and what is required by industry is a global phenomenon. A university education prepares the student for generic skills and develops core knowledge in a discipline. Specific skills required by an industry are generally acquired only after exposure to the industrial set-up. However, taking into consideration that university education should be able to create ‘employable’ youth, the University of Mumbai takes concerted efforts with regard to soft skills, professional attitudes, intellectual alertness, etc.
Will the credit and semester system change the learning process?
The credit-based system allows for choice of course combinations as per learners’ needs and takes into account the effort put in by him/her. The semester system provides scope for dividing the of learning into manageable and academically meaningful components and reduces the pressure of facing a one-time annual exam. The system will foster regular study habits, provide flexibility in evaluation modes.
What is the need of the curriculum?
The term ‘curriculum’ takes into account the objectives of a course, the target group, the course content, teaching-learning strategies as well as evaluation. The design of any curriculum has to take into account the needs of society. We are talking of becoming a ‘knowledge society’ by 2020.
What are the university’s recent efforts to upgrade curriculum?
When I took over as vice-chancellor, no academic bodies and authorities were in place. It was necessary to focus on creating these bodies as per statutory provisions. This was concluded in March. The focus now will be on socially relevant curricula and improvement in services. In the interim, academic reforms such as the credit system, the calibration of the syllabus into credit-based units and Open Education Resources are being introduced.
What are the university’s recent efforts to upgrade curriculum?
When I took over as vice-chancellor, no academic bodies and authorities were in place. It was necessary to focus on creating these bodies as per statutory provisions. This was concluded in March. The focus now will be on socially relevant curricula and improvement in services. In the interim, academic reforms such as the credit system, the calibration of the syllabus into credit-based units and Open Education Resources are being introduced.