Academic Council of UoM defers determination on four-year twin diploma programme

The Academic Council of University of Madras (UoM) has deferred its determination to begin a four-year twin diploma programme on fundamental sciences proposed to be provided in partnership with University of Melbourne after members raised a number of objections.

The proposed dual-degree programme have been to be provided by the Department of Theoretical Physics in collaboration with the University of Melbourne as an extension of the B.Sc (blended) Science programme began in 2022. The college students would have had the choice of selecting to proceed with the blended programme and full three years in UoM or pursue the third and fourth years in University of Melbourne and earn two levels – Bachelor of Basic Science from UoM and Bachelor of Advanced (Honour) from University of Melbourne.

Several members raised considerations over the programme’s construction and options. The National Education Policy 2020 inspired beginning of four-year undergraduate programmes however Tamil Nadu was recalcitrant in the direction of adopting the coverage for its academic establishments. “There was lack of readability on the place Tamil Nadu stood on this difficulty and we introduced that to the discover of the Council,” mentioned P.Ok. Abdul Rahiman, Head (in-charge), JBAS Centre for Islamic Studies.

While Tamil or some other language was made obligatory for all undergraduate programs within the State, the blended course had one paper in English and had no provision for some other language programs, which was in violation of presidency norms, a bit of the members mentioned.

“There are a number of different points, like equivalence to any of the core topics like Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics. It additionally doesn’t specify the title of four-year diploma and leaves it ambiguous as B.Sc Advanced (Honours),” mentioned Ok. Kathiravan, professor and head, division of Biotechnology.

Besides, the blended course had 11 college students in its first yr (2022-23), adopted by three college students in 2023-24, and 7 in 2024-25, Prof. Kathiravan added.