Nagpur University Failed to implement Semester Pattern Master of Fine Arts (MFA) course

NAGPUR UNIVERSITY NEWS BY TOI  : The tall claims made by the Nagpur University administration about introducing semester pattern and credit system
have been exposed as it failed to implement it in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) course, which is being conducted at Department of Fine Arts on Amravati Road. NU is the only university in the state which has not implemented the pattern in popular courses like MFA. In other universities, the course was started with the introduction of this pattern itself and has immensely benefited the students.

Sources in NU said the department officials failed to submit the new course syllabus to the university before the deadline. In fact, head of department (HoD) Deepak Joshi submitted the syllabus last week only, almost five months after the academic session commenced on July 1. According to sources, had Joshi and team made the submission before July, the semester pattern could have been also implemented in MFA.

Surprisingly, registrar Ashok Gomase wasn't aware of this and told TOI that he will seek information after joining office on Monday. HoD Joshi confirmed that the semester pattern was yet to be implemented in MFA. "It's a highly creative course and requires time to prepare the sylalbus draft. This course cannot be compared with other PG courses as only experts can provide the creative inputs," he said while justifying the delay.

He added that since the four-year course was practical-oriented, experts need to be careful while drafting the syllabus. "Moreover, there are many branches like dance, drama and music among others. The members have discussed the pros and cons of the course content in detail before finalizing it. We have to plan for the next five years in such situations," Joshi said.

He also admitted that the department submitted the new course content to the NU only recently and it will come for discussion during the Academic Council's meet on November 29. "Only after getting clearance from the council, we will implement the semester pattern. But it will come into effect from the next academic session," he said.

Sources stated that Joshi and team should have started preparing the draft about a year ago when NU announced that it would be implementing the semester pattern in PG courses. "Lack of manpower coupled with MFA department's apathy led to the inordinate delay," said sources and also criticized the NU administration for not taking action against the MFA department officials and the HoD.

In fact, NU was the last to implement the semester pattern in PG courses among all the universities in the state.

Even neighbouring Amravati University had implemented it two years ago. Interestingly, the newly-formed Gondwana University had also started all its courses including undergraduate ones with semester pattern from the first year itself, informed sources.