Saturday, Aug 28, 2010
Madurai: Students of Madurai Kamaraj University and its affiliated colleges will soon have rural work experience integrated into their curriculum.

While the mode of implementation is being discussed, Vice-Chancellor R. Karpaga Kumaravel has set the ball rolling by informally asking the senior faculty members to identify areas of rural experience suitable for sciences, humanities and social sciences. “Rural work experience cannot be generalised for all disciplines and departments. It has to be subject-specific and I will write to the Chairmen of Boards of Studies to come out with appropriate suggestions for incorporating them in to the curriculum,” he told The Hindu on Friday.

First with PG courses
The concept would be tried out first with postgraduate courses in university and affiliated colleges. “After getting inputs from respective boards of science/humanities and social sciences, we will place them before the Academic Council for its approval,” he said. It will then be taken to the Senate and Syndicate for their concurrence.

The idea of incorporating rural work in the curriculum was to give exposure/ experience to students. In all probability, it would be ready for implementation from next academic year after getting approval from the Academic Council, Senate and Syndicate.

The Vice-Chancellor had first hinted this idea at a seminar on August 25. He said it was essential for students to gain work experience by visiting villages. “Students will be able to identify themselves with villagers if rural work experience is made part of the curriculum,” he had said.