CUET 2022 will enhance students' horizons to pursue higher education: UoH VC

Professor Basuthkar Jagadeeshwar Rao, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, spoke exclusively to shiksha.com about the upcoming academic year, admission process and more. Here is an excerpt from the interview.

CUET 2022 will enhance students' horizons to pursue higher education: UoH VC

Q. From the academic year 2022, Hyderabad University will take into account the CUET 2022 score to select its candidates for various UG courses. How is the university planning for it?

A. It is a centralised admissions test administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The academic council of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has approved the adoption of CUET 2022 for the academic session 2022-23. NTA had asked UoH about the programmes we offer and we gave them all the details in which we are looking forward to giving admission as per CUET 2022 score. As per the details shared by us, the NTA mapped it to the specific admission test because it is a subject-wise admission test. NTA has a menu for different admission tests and in that, they have mapped the subjects or streams we require to conduct the entrance test. So, this mapping is important not only for the UoH but also for all the central universities across the country. 

Based on this, the NTA came up with the master list for all the streams for which the CUET should be conducted. Now, NTA is getting ready to conduct the admission test in all the different subject streams that require the CUET score. Once the NTA announces the CUET score, students will have to go through the counselling rounds, to select the course and university of their choice.

Q. How CUET 2022 will affect the admission process at the University of Hyderabad?

A. We will keep our portal open and any student can apply. Based on their national ranking, in each reservation category, they can opt for the courses they wish to pursue at UoH. We have been doing this for over a decade, however, this year, we won’t be conducting our separate university entrance exam, and we will be admitting students based on their national CUET 2022 rankings.

Q. Do you feel that CUET will be a platform to give fair chance to students, especially those who belong to other state boards?

A. We have always and will continue to welcome students from every state like we do every year to come and study on the marvellous campus of UoH. CUET is a national entrance exam and anyone can sit for it, and based on their score they can opt for the central university they want to pursue their higher studies. With CUET, students will not have to run around different parts of the country. They can just appear in CUET and opt for the college anywhere in India.

Q. UGC has recently directed central universities to add seats for those who lost their parents to COVID-19. How are you planning to go about it?

A. We will add a supernumerary seat, as stated by UGC. We comply with all UGC Regulations without any exceptions.

Q. Are you planning any courses to be introduced this academic year?

A. We are planning to introduce a few new courses. During our academic council meeting, we are planning to have a detailed discussion on the same. All the courses which will be introduced will be in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. University Grants Commission (UGC) had earlier released a guideline to introduce NEP-based undergraduate and postgraduate courses. We will align our courses in line with NEP 2020. However, we can only share details, once we are done with the academic council meeting of the University.

Q. Will there be a fee hike this academic year for some courses?

A. We are not hiking fees this academic session since we are a student-friendly university. As of now, we have not discussed any fee hike.

Q. What are your expectations from this academic year, as it will be after two years, that you will be welcoming students on campus.

A. We already have students back on our campus. All the newcomers or say 2021 batch students have been addressed by me. The 2022 batch students will be NEP 2020 aligned batches. So, there will be a new energy level and they will admit based on the CUET 2022. It will be all new different flavors and we hope it will translate into a new energy level. There are more things to look forward to. Like in years to come, NEP 2020 will bring forward more skill-based students passing out or taking admitted into the varsity. More students will have requirements for internships, practical training etc, so it will be different kinds of dynamics, as opposed to the past framework, where most of the teaching was classroom centric. However, NEP 2020 will be both classroom centric along with work-skill-centric. Hence, there will be a different flavor and we hope different energy will emerge.

UoH is a high-skill, high-content University. Any student who is ambitious, not only towards obtaining a degree but ambitious in life, should join UoH. It is a life-making University, not just a degree-awarding university. It is a large University, single-campus university, students will get tremendous experience and high profile and committed faculty to bring the best out of them. UoH is a very progressive university in a very beautiful city. Hyderabad is an extremely cosmopolitan city. With no religious, cultural or language barrier.

Read More:

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