The mix and match' system proposed by the University of Madras has raised expectations

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Breaking the class barrier

Karthika Gopalakrishnan, TNN, Feb 18, 2011, 12.32am IST

CHENNAI: The mix and match' system proposed by the University of Madras has raised expectations.

Vice-chancellor G Thiruvasagam recently announced that they planned to make it mandatory for under-graduate and post-graduate students to complete a year-long diploma in any discipline to procure their degree. Thiruvasagam, who reportedly discussed the plan first in November 2009, said it was intended to diversify students' expertise and heighten their employability.

"The suggestion was born from an appeal made by APJ Abdul Kalam at a function he addressed while he was the President. In the course of the question-answer session, a girl said she was a student of economics but was apprehensive of her prospects in the job market on completing the course. In response, Kalam pointed out that it was necessary for vice-chancellors to redesign programmes so that students can learn from areas beyond their subject major and boost chances of enhancing their employability," Thiruvasagam said.

Pointing out that details were still being worked out, he said the Board of Studies would meet in the next fortnight to decide on specifics such as the number of credits to be assigned to the diploma. "As of now, we think the diploma can be spread over semesters in the second and third year. The idea is to add value to the courses so that students need not be restricted to a certain degree or curriculum. However, we need to get the concurrence of the Board of Studies first," he said.

Lecturers said it would give students the opportunity to turn their attention towards new career paths. The anthropology department, for instance, offers MA and PhD courses in the subject. "Students may even be able to move to another campus to pursue their diploma course, provided their schedule allows it. With physical and archaeological anthropology emerging as niche areas in the course, students can pursue diploma programmes in zoology or archaeology to look for work in these fields. Currently, our students are working with CSR wings of corporates among tribals at Javadi Hills. A few others are working with AID India, an NGO that works on education-related issues," said M P Damodharan, assistant professor of the department of anthropology in the University of Madras.

Some academicians said the success of the proposal would depend on the teachers. "Education should encourage all variety and multiplicity of talent, ability and interest. Any system that recognises a wide variety of talent is infinitely better than a system with a tunnel vision. College education should allow a person to cross the floor and allow students to take subjects such as music and art if that is where their interest lies," said National Council for Teacher Education member and former director of New Delhi's Lady Irwin College S Anandalakshmy.

"Also, in case of a diploma, language is a subject that can be woven in very easily. Instead of opting for French, Spanish and Chinese, students can consider learning languages like Gujarati or Marathi, which are also rich in literature. As a whole, I think it is a good idea to broaden the base but I feel it can be made optional so that the brighter people who don't feel overwhelmed can take up the diploma. All of this, of course, depends on good teaching. The system has to have teachers who really care and want to ignite a person's mind on the subject to really work," she added.

Read more: Breaking the class barrier - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Breaking-the-class-barrier-/articleshow/7518441.cms#ixzz3pyvbuvbq