Following the University Grants Commission (UGC) order to universities in the country to stop dissection and experimenting on animals, the University of Mumbai has formed a committee that includes students and teachers to suggest ideas on how they want to learn and teach what would have been taught while doing actual dissection. A first-of-its-kind initiative by the University has ensured that each and every teacher in the University has a chance to voice their opinion, as well as get the students to say what they want to learn.
According to Vinayak Dalvie, member, board of studies (zoology), the board had formed a committee based on the concept of a pyramid. “The committee has the topmost professors from both the under-graduate and postgraduate courses in Zoology. These professors have been made to head smaller committees on each topic. These teachers and professors are working on getting inputs from universities in India and abroad and studying their curriculum and methods of teaching. The same will go into making the new syllabi,” said Mr Dalvie.
He further added that for the first time in the history of the University, students were also asked to give their feedback regarding the curriculum and methodology to study a subject. “About 100 students from both UG and PG courses have been asked to give their feedback and suggestions. The same has already been collected and forwarded to the concerned committee members to integrate in their proposal,” said Mr Dalvie.
“We are happy that the University has taken our suggestions into consideration while framing the new syllabus. Though we are not aware of what the syllabi will be in future semesters, at least our choices have been given a listen, which is a huge positive for us,” said Sameer Naik, a student from a suburban college.