The Delhi University has officially scrapped the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) but the fate of those who were enrolled into the course last year is still not clear.
As the university’s academic and executive councils did not debate the matter, it is now up to the UGC’s standing committee to deliberate on the issue.
While there is still clarity on the fate of applicants who took admission in courses such as physics, English or commerce, problems are aplenty for those who opted for BTech and BMS.
According to suggestions, for courses other than BTech, all foundation courses should be scrapped and the syllabus of the remaining two years be improved so that they are able to learn in two years all that they should for an honours programme.
For BTech students, the suggestions are more complex.
Standing committee members have suggested that for BTech, the papers be rearranged so that students who wish to save one year can leave with BSc Hons in the discipline course in three years after completing 18 papers of the main subject. Those who want BTech may continue for a fourth year.
According to the suggestion, the university should, on priority basis, rework the course content and course work as much as possible to make BTech a meaningful and competitive degree.
{{/usCountry}}According to the suggestion, the university should, on priority basis, rework the course content and course work as much as possible to make BTech a meaningful and competitive degree.
{{/usCountry}}The UGC, too, has assured that it will be looking out for BTech students.
The other problem for existing students is the degree they will get after FYUP is scrapped.
“We do not know if we will be given an honours degree now since our college did not offer an honours course before FYUP. We just want a degree for the course we took admission in, nothing more nothing less,” said Deeksha Arora, who took admission in BTech psychological sciences. She wants a BA (honours) psychology degree. According to principals, they will give an honours degree to those students who signed up for it.
“It will be fraud otherwise. If a student takes admission in a particular course, it is mandatory that she be given that very degree at the time of passing out. We cannot admit them in honours courses and give them degrees for programme courses,” said a college principal in a south Delhi college.