Mohammed Younus/ Hyderabad : Yoga classes will become part of the curriculum for Graduate and Post Graduate students from next academic year, if the University Grants Commission (UGC) has its way. While proposing changes in the curriculum of the PG and graduate courses, the UGC has proposed introduction of Yoga and environmental studies from next academic year. The environmental studies would be made compulsory whereas introduction of Yoga is still under consideration.
The UGC issued directives to the states in this regard earlier this month. The decision was taken following a judgment of the Supreme Court in 2004. The apex court said that environmental studies be made a compulsory subject for the graduate and PG students to improve awareness among them. Nevertheless, the implementation of directives was delayed due to a variety of reasons like creation of needed infrastructure in the colleges. Taking cue from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UGC proposed Yoga and meditation classes for university students at campuses. The proposal came after the address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at United Nations (UN) recently where he had urged one and all to adopt to Yoga.
UGC's intention is to raise health awareness among students involving lessons on yoga and meditation. This initiative is believed to be the extension of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. UGC officials have also clarified that apart from offering yoga classes, universities as well as affiliated colleges also need to create awareness about healthy diets, benefits of exercise, abuse of drugs and promoting communal harmony. The UGC stated that the environmental studies course will not be completely theoretical but will include 25 per cent weightage for field work. Students will be trained through lectures, seminars, videos presentations, field visits, excursions, project work, report writing and presentations.
Environmental studies experts believe that it is important for students to have knowledge about what is happening to the environment and resources of earth. The interdisciplinary course will be for all the undergraduates from all educational backgrounds. Environmentalist from Osmania University S Madhukar said that this course will give the students a better understanding of environmental issues at local and global levels. The topics in the course include ecosystems, renewable and non-renewable natural resources, biodiversity and conservation, pollution, environmental policies and practices, exploitation of mineral, land, water resources and deforestation.
The 100 marks course is already introduced in the current academic session of Delhi University and may be taken up by all the universities from next academic year. Presently, the course will be available in English and efforts are on to introduce it in Hindi and other regional languages as well in the coming sessions.
The UGC issued directives to the states in this regard earlier this month. The decision was taken following a judgment of the Supreme Court in 2004. The apex court said that environmental studies be made a compulsory subject for the graduate and PG students to improve awareness among them. Nevertheless, the implementation of directives was delayed due to a variety of reasons like creation of needed infrastructure in the colleges. Taking cue from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UGC proposed Yoga and meditation classes for university students at campuses. The proposal came after the address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at United Nations (UN) recently where he had urged one and all to adopt to Yoga.UGC's intention is to raise health awareness among students involving lessons on yoga and meditation. This initiative is believed to be the extension of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. UGC officials have also clarified that apart from offering yoga classes, universities as well as affiliated colleges also need to create awareness about healthy diets, benefits of exercise, abuse of drugs and promoting communal harmony. The UGC stated that the environmental studies course will not be completely theoretical but will include 25 per cent weightage for field work. Students will be trained through lectures, seminars, videos presentations, field visits, excursions, project work, report writing and presentations.
Environmental studies experts believe that it is important for students to have knowledge about what is happening to the environment and resources of earth. The interdisciplinary course will be for all the undergraduates from all educational backgrounds. Environmentalist from Osmania University S Madhukar said that this course will give the students a better understanding of environmental issues at local and global levels. The topics in the course include ecosystems, renewable and non-renewable natural resources, biodiversity and conservation, pollution, environmental policies and practices, exploitation of mineral, land, water resources and deforestation.
The 100 marks course is already introduced in the current academic session of Delhi University and may be taken up by all the universities from next academic year. Presently, the course will be available in English and efforts are on to introduce it in Hindi and other regional languages as well in the coming sessions.
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