JNTU-K to start semester system in the 1st year
The concept of self-study also to be introduced
MACHILIPATNAM: The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada is introducing several new initiatives in examination system with a view to reducing unhealthy competition and stress on the students.
Vice-Chancellor Allam Appa Rao said at a press conference here on Monday that it had been under discussion to introduce grading system of giving absolute percentage marks, so that there will be no rush among students to score more marks. Because the range of marks will be given as a grade, the unwholesome competition for getting more marks will be eliminated, he felt.
Prof. Appa Rao assured the students that the credit system introduced by the University was in their best interests, and there was no need to have any apprehensions on this count. The students would do well to complete the papers of a particular semester in that semester only, so that they could start afresh for the next semester, he reasoned. The University was also mulling giving weightage in marks to the students who had 90 per cent attendance.
It was also proposed to introduce semester system in the first year itself with courses in general studies to take care of delay in admissions. Subjects like English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and the like would be dealt with in the first semester, while the second semester would tackle core engineering subjects.
Prof. Appa Rao said that the concept of self-study, which was in vogue in many international universities, was being introduced to inspire students to select the subjects on their own and learn them independently without outside help.
Academic Audit Cell
As part of many initiatives, an ‘Academic Audit Cell' has been established with G.V.R. Prasada Raju, a professor of civil engineering, as founder-director, with the mandate of nurturing graduates who will be useful to society. The strategy was to monitor and regulate all academic activities through internal review process so that the university could assure itself of compliance at a higher quality, he said. Also on the agenda was to conduct awareness programmes to enable students of all the 227 affiliated colleges to cope with stress and develop self-confidence under the JNTU-K.
The managements and principals of all colleges have been advised to establish counselling cells with a psychologist to create a student-centric atmosphere on campuses, Prof. Appa Rao said.