Two years after the implementation of the semester system in the central departments of Tribhuvan University (TU), the country's oldest university has directed the offices of its deans to implement the system at master's level in all its campuses in Kathmandu Valley from the coming session.

TU had decided to implement the semester system for all master's degree programs in three phases-- TU central departments in the first phase, Kathmandu Valley in the second phase and across the country in the third phase with the gap of a year between phases. However, the system is already in effect at the faculties of Science, Medicine, Engineering and Forestry across the country.

The central departments implemented the semester system at the faculties of Humanities, Management and Education two years ago, according to TU. The system could not be implemented in Valley campuses under the second phase a year ago due to objections voiced by student unions affiliated to various political parties.

There are 22 constituent campuses of TU and dozens of private campuses affiliated to TU in the Valley.

“We have directed the deans' offices of the Humanities, Management, Education and Law faculties to implement the semester system in the Valley from the coming session,” said Prof Dr Tirtha Raj Khaniya, vice chancellor of TU. “Every faculty will enforce it with the new admissions,” he added. “No campus including private ones will be allowed to admit  students under the annual system from the coming session.”

Students under the semester system should attend 80 percent of the total number of classes while 80 percent of the evaluation will be based on written tests taken semester-wise and 20 percent will be for assignments. Due to the attendance provision, the number of students at the central departments of TU fell significantly after the implementation of the semester system.

Dozens of students used to seek admission to TU campuses just for engaging in politics. On the other hand, students employed in different offices also used to seek admissions under the annual examination system. Working students will not be given  the opportunity to enroll as full-time students under the semester system. “The working students should either study under open and distance learning schemes or quit their jobs if they want to join TU campuses in Kathmandu Valley,” said VC Khaniya.

 Khaniya further said that the semester system will be implemented in the next phase in campuses across the country. “However, we are unable to fix a date for the implementation,” he added. “It will depend on the situation. It may be implemented next year or may take a few years.”

 TU has been producing two kinds of certificates for master's degree holders at present. Students at the central departments have taken their exams under the semester system while students in the same faculties at other campuses have taken the annual exam systems.

TU plans to implement the semester system at the bachelor's degree level only after two years, according to the Office of TU VC.

source: republica,15 march 2017