Y.S. RANA ,CHANDIGARH—After many a tactical retreats and surges like city metro project, the proposal to introduce NSS as an elective subject at college level finally got UGC’s nod. The Panjab University has finally decided to introduce National Service Scheme (NSS) as an elective subject in all colleges affiliated to the university from this session. It is revealed by Mr Bikram Rana, SLO, NSS Cell, Chandigarh. A decision to this effect has been conveyed to all universities across the country to introduce NSS as an elective subject.
While talking to Bikram Rana, State Liaison Officer, NSS Cell, Chandigarh, who has made untiring efforts to introduce NSS as elective subject at college level said that a proposal was initiated by the Administration and forwarded to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, GOI some four years ago. The proposal has been sent to the Union Grant Commission (UGC) to ascertain the proper introduction of the proposal.
Mr Rana further revealed that the UGC has conducted four regional conferences to give final touch to the study course. Conferences were attended bhy a number of experts across the country and expressed their views and suggestions.
The propelled the Panjab University into a burst of activity. The university swung into action with double the speed to complete the formalities within the stipulated period. The Syndicate of the university has accorded its approval to appoint Bikram Rana as a member of the committee to discharge the functions of the Board of studies in NSS for the term ending on March 31, 2019.
Mr Rana has confirmed of receiving a letter from the Assistant Registrar (General), Panjab University last week.
The course will be offered only to the students of first year graduation and total duration of the course will be of three years having six semesters. According to template course curriculum of each semester will have five units of 100 marks that includes 60 marks for theory and 40 marks for practical project work, said Mr Rana.
The Ministry has sent a letter along with template course curriculum to the UGC. The course has been designed a template of NSS curriculum sent to all universities which was discussed at length at various levels. “The pilot programme will reposition it into NSS and Skill Development Scheme. Fast changes in the socio-economic sphere in the past necessitated the ministry to review the NSS,” says Mr Rana.
The official of the University stated that the course was designed in such a way that covered all aspects of NSSD such as basic concepts of NSS; its programme and community related activities; youth and crime; yoga to vocation sakill development including issues like environment; disaster management; documentation and reporting. Besides students will be taught life skills, national integration; youth and women empowerment; human rights, gender sensitivity and social evils.
The recommendations of these workshops based on the practical experience of AIU members were received at UGC office. On the basis of these recommendations, the UGC has compiled and prepared a comprehensive curriculum that will form the teaching course to students opting for NSS as an elective subject.
Mr Rana believes that the move of the UGC giving academics status to NSS would in turn likely to bring more young officers in charge of a young country who had vast theoretical as well as practical working experience community activities which would help them in formulating policies for the welfare of community at large.