The University Grants Commission has come out with a series of notifications for a new curriculum in universities, all aiming to benefit the sections of the society. The authorities have been strictly reprimanded to avoid elements in the syllabus which may be thought as advancing the agenda of terrorism, to use handloom fabric for dresses worn in ceremonies or to stop experimenting with animals as research in laboratories.
The decision was undertaken after the Administrative Reforms Commission told the institutions imparting education in mass communication and journalism to avoid such elements which may advance the agenda of terrorism. Another notice asked the universities and affiliated colleges to use handloom fabric for ceremonial dresses prescribed for special occasions like convocations to bring a sense of pride.
Meanwhile, as a part of the initiative to prevent animal slaughtering, the UGC affiliated universities are supposed to register online with the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiment on Animals (CPCSEA), which is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment responsible for the prevention of cruelty to animals. By being a part of it, the universities will be agreeing to comply with the guidelines in their Life Sciences and Zoology courses. UGC had also instructed all the universities to comply with the Biological Diversity Act in academics and research, to increase awareness and safeguard biodiversity in the country.
The UGC has instructed the universities to consider and comply to the matters on priority-basis. An ‘action-report’ is expected from them by July 30.
[“source-indiatoday.intoday”]