Not many takers for 80% courses at Panjab University

CHANDIGARH: Some courses at Panjab University are finding only a few takers. More than 70% applications received by the university so far have been limited to only 20% of the total courses. The remaining 80% courses grapple with shortage of candidates.
PU has so far received around 30,000 registrations, out of which around 15,000 candidates have completed their applications and are eligible for admissions.
The majority of applications have come for courses such as BA Economics (honours), BA (evening studies), BCom (evening studies), BA BEd, MA sociology, psychology, political science and so on. On the other hand, courses such as MA Sanskrit, MA Urdu, MA Geography, MSc Fashion Technology and Masters in Hotel Management don’t have many takers.
Lack of interest, job prospects
The experts have blamed lack of interest of students and lack of job prospects in certain courses behind their increasing downfall. “Earlier, candidates used to take up courses such as MA in Sanskrit in hope of getting teaching jobs in schools. But these days, Sanskrit has been replaced as the third language in schools. In schools of Haryana and Chandigarh, they prefer teaching Punjabi as the third language. So there are very few jobs left,” said former PU vice-chancellor Arun Grover.
Though Panjab University has great teachers in departments of Sanskrit and Urdu, they may not be going out of the way to attract students,” Grover said. Similarly, the former VC said, some departments were not revising the curriculum to latest that was leading to joblessness and students passing out of the university not getting education as per the industry standards.
Courses started for funds
Sources said some courses at the university were started only because the University Grants Commission was offering funds to set them up and not because of any major requirement. The courses such as MA in public health, stem cell and tissue engineering, nuclear medicine and so on have only a few takers. Due to the complexity of these courses, some authorities at PU have recommended that they be combined to make a school of life sciences at PU. However, sources said the internal politics of the university and head of departments wanting to retain the authority did not let the idea materialize.
University extended deadline
Due to few applications, PU has already extended the last day of applying from July 3 to 10. The extension of deadline has led to university changing the admission dates as well.