Goa University to offer BA Portuguese from this academic year

PANAJI: After introducing a bachelor’s programme in its department of French and Francophone Studies, Goa University is offering a graduate programme at its department of Portuguese and Lusophone Studies for the first time from the academic year 2019-20. Both departments only had postgraduate programmes in the languages on offer untill recently.
Students who have completed their Class XII education and have studied Portuguese as a subject at least till Class X are eligible to apply for the graduate programme in Portuguese, GU announced.
The information on how to apply for the BA (general or honours) in Portuguese has been made available by Goa University on its website.
Offering graduate programmes are expected to boost enrolment to the MA programmes in French and Portuguese at GU, which have in the recent past seen its enrolment not reach full capacity. A prime reason is the availability of graduate programmes in French and in Portuguese, a need which will now be met with the new courses being offered at GU.
The masters programme in Portuguese department at Goa University attracts students from different parts of the country and has students come all the way here from distant Delhi, Haryana and Bihar, among other places, to pursue the course.
This is because Goa University is the only varsity in the country offering the MA in Portuguese, which gives students an edge over those who have completed certificate courses in the language. The MA course holds one in good stead while competing in the job market.
Increased trade with Portuguese-speaking nations like Brazil has opened employment opportunities for those who have knowledge of the language.
Also, for students who want to pursue research in Portuguese offered at JNU in Delhi, GU is the only institute, where one can attain MA degree in the programme.