UGC directive puts Assam varsities on toes

‘Revise curriculum once every three years’

OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, March 11: Tough days are ahead for universities in Assam following the latest directive of the University Grants Commission (UGC) that the varsities will be required to review and revise the course material at least once every three years.

The directive of the UGC is focused on employability of students in a fast changing world. It directs universities to assess the current and prospective demand of skill sets in various industries, and alter and upgrade their programmes accordingly to make the students better equipped and ready for the job market.

“Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University and other state universities in Assam normally do not review and revise their course materials in three-year periods. Rather, these varsities are seen revising their syllabus after gaps of 10 to 12 years,” a source told The Sentinel on Saturday.

A faculty in Gauhati University told this correspondent that even though he has not yet seen the latest UGC circular, his experience in the university over the years has made him realize that it would be a tough and challenging job to change the course materials at least once every three years.

Dibrugarh University has started the exercise of upgrading its courses and programmes in a gap of four to five years even before this directive.

“Many of our courses have been prepared keeping in mind changes taking place across the globe. With the latest UGC directive, we will upgrade all our courses. It will be a huge task, but we are ready for the challenge. It will only be for the benefit of the university and the students,” a faculty at Dibrugarh University said.

A student who last year completed his post graduation from Dibrugarh University said it promises to be a very good move which has come late for him.

“Unfortutely for me, it has come too late. I passed out last year and am still looking for a job. Whenever I go for interviews for jobs, I find it very embarrassing and depressing. I realize that I was simply not taught a lot of things in my university days, which are now required in industry,” the student said. He rued that most courses in universities are not well equipped to train students and make them ready for the job market.