Mangaluru: Mangalore University’s Academic Council recently approved new curriculum frameworks aligned with the State Education Policy (SEP), with a greater emphasis on skill-based learning, practical training and updated academic references.A key decision at the council meeting, chaired by vice-chancellor PL Dharma, was the approval of the first- and second-semester syllabi for the BCom human resource operations programme introduced under the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) model.“Keeping all the rules and regulations of the SEP in mind, there was a strict govt mandate to implement the AEDP programme,” Dharma said. He added that the syllabus had undergone detailed scrutiny to ensure that it met the university’s academic standards.Under the initiative, the state govt will provide a grant of Rs 8,000 per student enrolled in the AEDP programme.The council also approved the fifth- and sixth-semester core syllabi for BA rural development and BA journalism programmes under the SEP framework. The revised journalism curriculum gives greater emphasis to practical media laboratory work, application of ICT tools and mandatory field internships, moving beyond conventional classroom-based teaching.Dharma also directed all Boards of Studies (BoS) to review and update reading materials and references used in syllabi. He said books listed without publication years should not be retained in the curriculum.“Any syllabus reference list that does not mention the year the book was published must be sent back directly to the BoS for updating,” he said.Emphasising the university’s academic autonomy, Dharma urged departments to use their academic freedom to introduce relevant and contemporary content. “We have our academic freedom and our own BoS. I have thought about whether we can offer something new to our students, and I request the respective teams to ensure the curriculum remains highly relevant,” he said.The council further approved revised syllabi for MSc cybersecurity and MSc electronics, besides multi-tiered add-on courses in retail management and digital marketing.The council also approved revised syllabi for MSc cybersecurity and MSc electronics, besides multi-tiered add-on courses in retail management and digital marketing.
