Now, human rights is a compulsory course

By: Alifiya Khan

Online course will be mandatory for all the first-year students in every faculty in the University of Pune

With an aim to increase awareness among students about human rights issues around the world, the academic council of University of Pune (UoP) has introduced a course in human rights as a binding portion of the curriculum. The move has received thumbs up from several sectors.

Vice-chancellor RK Shevgaonkar informed that the human rights course, which would begin from the next academic year, would be taught online and the students would have the liberty to complete the course as and when they want, but must do so within a year.

Study through CD

"A CD would be made and distributed to all the colleges. It will cover important aspects of human rights -- from the laws, definitions and purview of human rights, to its application in society and academic life. Students are expected to take this training and then answer an online exam which would be a set of objective type questions," said Shevgaonkar.

He added that the course would be compulsory for students belonging to the affiliated colleges of UoP too and will cover the faculties including science and engineering.

Mulshi deaffiliated

The academic council announced its decision to de-affiliate the Mulshi Institute of Technology and Research for misconduct. The institute was involved in an incident of mass copying besides allegations of irregularities in admissions.

"We have decided to cancel the affiliation of the institute. Now it is up to the Department of Technical Education to decide the fate of the students studying there," said Vasudev Gade, director of Board of College and University Development.


(2011-4-6/MiD-DAY)