Bioinformatics, Microbiology... from Lucknow University (LU)? Why not, say University authorities who have plans to start several new courses at the campus.
We have sent a proposal to the government for allocating Rs 1,000 crore to LU, informed Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof R S Yadav. Soon after drafting this proposal, they have also intimated all the heads of various departments to come up with novel job oriented courses, added Yadav.
In a letter (dated July 5, 2005), the LU authorities were asked by the Department of Higher Education to draft a budget for allocation of grant under the twelfth Finance Commission. Head of departments of various faculties are now coming up with several professional courses.
We are planning to offer a course in Bio-informatics at the undergraduate level, informed department head of Mathematics and Astronomy Prof Aruna Sinha. Apart from starting new courses, the grant will also be used to improve the infrastructure of libraries, science laboratories and computer labs.
Prof M P Singh, department head of Geology has forwarded a proposal to have a placement cell in the Geology department. Singh, who has not forwarded any proposal for a new course as yet said he would stress on equipping the labs and libraries of the department.
Amongst the courses, which might be offered by the University, there are some courses which would be offered for the first time by any University in Uttar Pradesh.
Any of the state universities are not offering B Com (Hons) course. If the grant is sanctioned, we have decided to start this most sought after course in commerce stream, stated department head of Commerce Prof R K Tripathi. Similarly, Economics department is drafting a proposal to start two new courses. We are looking forward to start Environmental Economics and Business Economics courses, informed head of Economics department Prof A K Sengupta.
However, for the time being, the LU authorities are planning to start these proposed new courses at under-graduate level only. A total of Rs 4,454.07 crore grant is proposed for the education sector of Uttar Pradesh, under the twelth Finance Commission. This grant is proposed for all the universities, colleges and schools of the state, and would be utilised in five years.