Autonomy Plan for Somaiya Sci College Passed. Even univ relaxed the passing percentage
in PET, general category students need to get 50% & reserved category students can
clear PET with 45%.
To encourage more teachers to take up research activities,
the academic council of the University of Mumbai on 10th Friday decided to exempt
teachers with five years of experience from the Ph.D entrance test (PET). Last year,
when PET was conducted for the first time, it was compulsory for all candidates
aspiring to do a Ph.D, including teachers. Madhu Nair, dean of commerce, who was
also on the committee to review PET for teachers, said; The UGC norm states that
PET is mandatory for Ph.Ds, but universities can also make certain changes. Around
three universities in the state have already exempted approved teachers with five
years of experience from taking PET. Rajpal Hande, Director of Board of College
and University Development (BCUD), said; the move has been initiated to encourage
more teachers to complete their Ph.D. It would act as incentive for them to go in
for more research. We have also relaxed the passing percentage in PET for reserved
candidates by 5%.While general category students need to get 50% to clear PET; reserved
category students can clear it with 45%.
The academic council on 10th Friday also
passed the autonomy proposal of K.J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce. It will
be the fourth institute under the university to get autonomy. Last month, the K.J.
Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce was granted autonomy by the UGC. Vijay Joshi,
principal of K.J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, said, "We have already
formed advisory committees to look into syllabus changes. We have a plan in place
once we get autonomy. We have cleared the first step." The UGC panel is yet to submit
their report. The universities report will now come up in the management council
meet this month, after which it will be sent to the UGC. The faculty of commerce
has submitted its report to the university on changing ATKT norms for commerce.
Nair said, initially, commerce students were allowed to keep terms only in two subjects
in a year. Now we have submitted a report to the university stating that ATKT should
be allowed in four subjects for promotion to the next year as the number of subjects
has now doubled. The norms will be uploaded on the university website soon.
Courtesy: Times of India
