Univ may exclude internal test scores in credit system

After four years of flip-flop on the weightage given to internal assessment scores, Mumbai University (MU) is toying with the idea of scrapping it and holding a term-end 100-mark exam in each of the two semesters in a year. If the proposal is accepted, students may not have internal exams from next year, at least in traditional courses.

The issue was discussed in the last academic council meeting for the current academic bodies on Monday , but no decision was taken. When the credit-based grading system was introduced in 2011, internal assessment was given a weightage of 40 marks out of 100. The weightage was reduced to 25 marks in 2014.

A principal said the use of internal assessment scores has been delaying results as the system is not in place. But others pointed out that MU has to make use of the best international practices in following the credit-based grading system. “It will be unfair to evaluate students from self-financed courses only on the basis of a written test and no project work,“ said a member.

The council also decided to follow uniform guidelines for internal assessment this year and to change the grading scale from the current 7 to 10.“Earlier PET scores were valid only for 3 years. Now, students can register for PhD any time with their scores,“ said Madhu Nair, dean of commerce.

Member Gautam Gawli's proposals to make MU infras tructure disabled-friendly and to introduce a course in dis ability studies were also ac cepted. The decision to extend Sardar Patel College of Engi neering's autonomy for the next five years was sanctioned by both the academic and man agement councils. It was also decided that skill development initiatives will be taken as part of NSS activities.

Even as the term for all the academic bodies came to an end on Monday , the state didn't release any notification an nouncing the next senate elec tions. While there is no clarity on how varsities in the state will function without the aca demic bodies, vice-chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh called for a final review meeting for both the councils on Monday .

Exams, which are sched uled to begin in October, may be hit with no board of exam ination in place. Members of the Yuva Sena boycotted the V-C's dinner held for al members on Monday after he allegedly failed to address stu dents' issues.

On Friday , education min ister Vinod Tawde had said the academic bodies will run only with nominated members til the Maharashtra Universities Act comes into force. “We wil try to pass the Act in December and universities can hold their senate elections in January.”

Source | Economic Times | 1 September 2015