Well Done, Gauhati University

Gauhati University (GU) has made a long-awaited radical move by deciding to introduce a new assessment system, called choice-based credit system, to enable its undergraduate students to choose diverse courses in both honours and general pass categories and to also have the autonomy to decide on the place, pace and time of learning. This is quite in sync with the tradition followed in some of the best universities in the West where students enjoy the flexibility to choose subjects according to their inclination and interest. In fact, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has recommended that it is desirable for all institutions of higher education in the country to move towards a choice-based credit system and a uniform grading system. Assam University, Silchar has already implemented the system. Now GU will introduce the new system from the next academic session beginning in June this year. Under the new system, honours students will have to also study two skill development subjects while general course students will have to take four skill development subjects. Last week, the university organized a workshop among the principals of its affiliated colleges on implementation of the new assessment system.

The significance of the new system is two-fold. One, when there is flexibility in the matter of choice of subsidiary subjects along with the honours course, it boils down to a response to the imperative for interdisciplinary pursuits. One cannot overlook the importance of interdisciplinary subjects in the world of science in particular when domains such as biochemistry and biophysics are making rapid advances by the fusion of areas belonging both to physical and biological sciences along with materials drawn from chemistry. In fact, in some of the leading universities in the West, domains such as mathematical biology too are gaining ground. And two, when skill development subjects are added to the new higher education regime, it is definitely going to add to the employability factor – so crucial for the making of a meaningful education system in a country infamous for its continually soaring unemployment rates. Only, the faculties must ensure that their members are well-trained education and research personnel capable of competing with the best in the world. GU, being the oldest university of Northeast India, must now knuckle down to climb up the ladder of excellence.