MU changes MSW viva voce rule after opposition from colleges, students

Mangaluru: The Mangalore University has permitted colleges to hold viva voce at the respective places after strong opposition from colleges here offering Master of Social Work (MSW). Earlier, MU had sent a mail to all colleges on conducting viva voce at the Mangalagangothri campus in Konaje.
After permission was granted, the first viva voce exams on the respective college campuses for the second semester MSW were held on Monday. The rest will be held on October 6.
Mohan S Singhe, assistant professor at the social work department, Konaje, and chairman of board of examiners, had sent an email to all MSW colleges to attend the second-semester viva voce at the Konaje campus, a few days ago. Singhe, on the recent development and changes said that MU took notice and realised the inconvenience students will face if viva voce is conducted at Konaje. Afterwhich, it was decided to permit colleges to hold viva voce themselves. MU has also decided to change the rules in syllabus in the next Board of Studies meeting.
‘Not feasible to travel’
Soon after the mail from MU on viva voce at Mangalagangothri, colleges hit out at the varsity’s decision, saying it is not possible for students to travel from far-off places to give viva voce at Konaje. Some of the colleges are situated in Madikeri, Sullia, and Kundapur. There are about 12 MSW colleges with 250 students studying under MU.
“It’s true that many colleges are in far-off areas and it’s not feasible for them to travel to Konaje to give oral examinations. The changes will be made soon to the existing syllabus,” said Singhe, adding that the new syllabus was framed in 2021.
As per the new syllabus, the board of examination mandates that viva voce must be conducted at Konaje and not at each college campus. Singhe added that last semester, MU broke the rules and held viva voce at colleges. However, senior faculty from the social work department opposed it as it was against the rules. They insisted that rules must be followed by conducting a centralized viva voce at Konaje campus. The viva voce for fourth semester MSW students will be held in November.
Meanwhile, MSW college heads criticised MU for framing a syllabus that is not student friendly. “One must apply their mind while framing syllabus. It is impractical to give viva voce in Konaje, and students will incur unnecessary expenses on travel and lodging. It must be changed soon,” said a senior faculty.