PU mulls compulsory course

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 15

The Panjab University authorities plan to sensitise the undergraduate students against domestic violence against women and children through a compulsory course from the next academic session. The varsity will be tabling the proposal before the Syndicate during its meeting scheduled on December 21.

As per the proposal, the varsity will introduce a course named “Environment, Road Safety and Domestic Violence against Women and Children” that will carry 100 marks. Its syllabus will be drafted by the Board of Studies in consultation with the Department of Laws and the Centre for Social Work.

Earlier, the university had introduced a 50-mark compulsory paper on environment studies and road safety for the undergraduate students of the 192 affiliated colleges in the 2012-13 session. The university reportedly tabled the proposal of the new course earlier as well, but it was deferred till the drafting of its details.

Another issue that will be tabled in the meeting is the five per cent hike in fee proposed by the fee committee from the next session. As per the proposal, the minimum increase will be that of Rs 500 to the maximum of Rs 1,500. Also, the students will be charged Rs 30 for using the Wi-Fi.

Students have been opposing the hike. During an open house discussion organised by all student parties, they had flayed the proposal and also submitted a memorandum to the Board of Finance.

Besides this, the recommendation of starting a diploma course in psychiatric and nursing, made by the Board of Finance, is also going to be tabled in the meeting for approval.

The date of conducting elections to the various boards of studies will also be tabled for the consideration of the Syndicate.