Panjab University Syndicate to consider change of MBE to MA

The MBE course is offered at four PU-affiliated colleges, and the suggested changes in nomenclature are likely to be implemented from the next session (2016-17) only. A committee comprising the principals of the four colleges that offer the MBE course has resolved to recommend that students who are currently enrolled in the MBE programme will be given an option to shift to either MCom or MA (Economics). Further, it has been observed that additional seats for students opting for MA (Economics) instead of MBE be sanctioned for the 2015-16 session.

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Further, the Syndicate is expected to sanction an amount of Rs 10,14,700 for construction of ramps up to the ground floor in various buildings of both the campuses of PU. As per a letter from the University Grants Commission (UGC), it has been conveyed that universities must ensure the provision of barrier-free buildings for the advantage of the differently abled students and staff members. UGC has directed universities to ensure that there is proper provision of ramps, rails, lifts and separate toilets for the differently abled group within three months. For the same, ramps will be constructed in the girls’ hostels 3 to 7, boys’ hostels 1 to 7, Main Guest House, Main Library, Post Office and Health Centre.

In a peer team report on institutional accreditation of PU by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), it was pointed out that the university’s Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) was not functioning as per its mandate, and needed to be strengthened. Taking note of this, the Syndicate had decided upon appointing an honourary director for IQAC, last month.

In this month’s meeting, Professor Rajiv Lochan from the Department of History will be appointed as the Director of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). Further, Professor Archana Bhatnagar from the Department of Biochemistry will be appointed as the Associate Director of IQAC. Both the professors will we given the additional charge of IQAC for a period of three years.

Another item for consideration in the meeting will be the appointment of a separate Training & Placement Officer for the University Institute of Engineering & Technology (UIET). Currently, the training and placement work is allotted to the faculty of UIET, who are also involved in teaching and research. The recommendation for the post has been put forward in order improve the quality of placements at UIET, as about 600 students appear for placements every year. It has been further suggested that the appointed officer should have a BE degree in any branch of engineering with an MBA degree in HR, and must have at least 15 years of experience.

The Syndicate will also consider a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which has been signed between the Information and Library Network Centre (INFLIBNET) and PU.

INFLIBNET is an autonomous Inter-University Centre (IUC) of the University Grants Commission situated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The MoU was signed on July 21 to join the ‘Shodhganga’ project, and PU librarian Raj Kumar has been nominated as the university coordinator for PU. Under this project, all theses and dissertations done by students/faculty of PU will be electronically available to students of other universities registered under the project, and vice-versa.

Further, the Syndicate will discuss the modalities of the implementation of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) regulations of 2014 for BEd and MEd programmes and the committee will also review the existing price formula of the textbooks published by private publishers.