DU’s Academic Council approves dual degrees; introduces Russian language program at UG level

NEW DELHI: Delhi University (DU) conducted its 1,018 Academic Council meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh on Friday at the university's council hall. During the meeting, DU VC announced that for the first time, a Russian language program will be introduced at the undergraduate (UG) level, starting from the academic session 2024-2025.

This program, under the Faculty of Arts’ Slavonic and Finno-Ugrian Studies Department, received approval based on UGCF 2022 guidelines. Previously, Russian was only offered at the postgraduate (PG) level.

"During the AC meeting, the course curriculum was passed by accepting the recommendations made by the Faculty of Arts in this regard with minor modifications. This program will be implemented from the academic session 2024-2025", the university in a statement said.

Provision for dual degrees

The council approved a provision for students to pursue two degrees simultaneously, one in regular mode and the other in distance mode.

One degree can be pursued in regular mode at university colleges or departments, while the second degree can be pursued through open and distance learning mode via the School of Open Learning or Campus of Open Learning.

“Under this, one degree can be done in regular mode in colleges/departments of the university and the other degree can be done in open and distance learning mode in the School of Open Learning, Campus of Open Learning of Delhi University… The modalities for pursuing two programmes simultaneously will include various terms and conditions that are necessary to make this decision effective”, university said.

Degrees from Sanskrit universities to be given equivalence

The proposal by the Sanskrit Department of the university was also discussed at the council meeting. The academic council approved the equivalence of degrees awarded by central Sanskrit universities with DU degrees for research and employment purposes.

"The Acharya degree awarded by Sanskrit universities in these research papers will be considered equivalent to the Masters' programme in Sanskrit of the University of Delhi. Similarly, the Acharya degree awarded by Sanskrit universities in Jyotish Shastra and Vastu Shastra will be considered equivalent to MA in Jyotish Shastra of the University", the statement added.

The equivalencies include:

• Shastri: BA

• Honoured Shastri: BA (Honours)

• Acharya: MA

• Shiksha Shastri: BEd

• Shiksha Acharya: MEd

• Vidya Varidhi: PhD

• Vachaspati: DLitt