Mumbai University to Discontinue BA in Chinese Studies? No Permanent Faculty May Lead to Varsity Dropping Course From 2019

Mumbai University launched the Chinese Studies in Bachelor programme last year under the Department of German at the Confucius Institute. But it turns out that the varsity will have to discontinue the offering because of no permanent faculty. Since, it was newly launched, it could not attract many students, but those interested might have to drop down the idea to pursue the course. No candidate is reportedly ready to be employed by the institute, considering the high expenses of living in the city. Mumbai University’s Distance Education Program IDOL De-recognised by UGC Followed by Non-NAAC Accreditation. 

The Institute’s Vice-Chancellor Suhas Pednekar received a letter from the director Dr Vibha Surana requesting to permit three permanent positions to continue the program smoothly. Dr Surana as quoted by The Indian Express said, “Competent teachers for Chinese are not available in Mumbai and no one is ready to be employed by the institute on an ad-hoc basis, considering the high cost of living in the city.” She further added that they would have to discontinue the course offering to the First-Year Bachelor of Arts (FYBA) from 2019, if full-time positions are not created. MU ‘Wrongly’ Failed 35,000 Students in 2017 Exam; Reveals RTI. 

It must be noted that currently, the institute has only one temporary faculty for all the part-time courses and one part-time faculty and one native Chinese visiting faculty. Mumbai University also offers short-term certificate (two levels) and diploma courses (four levels) in Chinese Mandarin. The BA in Chinese Studies has eight students in second-year and 13 in FYBA.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2018 11:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).