GUWAHATI, Aug 23 ? In accordance with the directive of the Supreme Court of India to introduce ?Environmental Studies? as a compulsory subject and following the guidelines of the University Grants? Commission, Gauhati University has introduced the subject in all its affiliated colleges from the current academic session, informs a press release.
The subject will be taught through a 50-lecture course to students of all streams (Arts, Science, Commerce) at the second year of the 1+1+1 degree course and in the second semester of the professional courses (Engineering, Medical, Law etc). Each student will be required to sit for a full paper of 100 marks along with the second year examination and must get a minimum of 30 marks to pass. Unsuccessful students will have a chance to clear the subject along with the third year examination and it will be mandatory to pass in the subject for getting his/her degree.
To facilitate a smooth introduction of the new subject in all its affiliated colleges, Gauhati University has asked all the colleges to select a senior teacher of any discipline as the nodal person who will coordinate the running of classes and other associated matters in connection with teaching ? learning of ?Environmental Studies?. The course is a multidisciplinary one and all the teaching departments will be required to share responsibility.
The University has entrusted the Dean, Faculty of Science to organise short training courses for the nodal persons. Accordingly, the affiliated colleges have been divided into three groups and three Intensive Orientation Programmes will be organised for the nodal persons in September.
The courses will be held at the Academic Staff College and letters have been issued to the Colleges. Any college not receiving invitation may contact the Dean, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University or the Course Director, Academic Staff College, Gauhati University.