‘Varsity evaluation system is rigid’

Last month, St Xavier’s College, affiliated to the University of Mumbai, achieved autonomous status, which is a first for the city. As part of the overhaul of its curriculum and evaluation system, St Xavier’s will change to a semester, credit-based method, with less emphasis on year-end exams. Also, the faculty will be able to customise its course design, no longer shackled by the University’s rigid syllabi. Fr Frazer Mascarenhas, SJ, principal, St Xavier’s College, speaks to DNA about what autonomy means to the college.

Why is autonomy important for a college?
In India, we follow the old British system where the university controls more than 600 institutions, all of which are very different. But, all of them use the same syllabus and the same examination system. Owing to the large numbers, we have to standardise the examinations so that different types of students and faculties work toward the same exams. A lot of opportunity for more individualised instruction and evaluation is lost. It’s not a good system, and the Indian academia knows it. Under autonomous status, we are still under the university, which will give the degree, but, we are free to design our own courses, set our own syllabi and evaluating system. It means freedom.

Why did it take so long for St Xavier’s to get autonomy?
We have been thinking about going autonomous for a while now. And, we first put forward our request to Mumbai university in October 2007. It took a year-and-a-half for them to process the request and to give permission. Then, in March 2009, we went to the state government, who gave us permission in September 2009. The UGC came to the college for a review in April 2010 after which we were granted autonomy through unanimous approval. Obviously, we didn’t expect it to take almost three years. But, the delay was a good thing: it gave us time to prepare for changes in the syllabus, credit system, evaluation system, etc.

What changes have you made to the syllabus?
We have changed about 30% of the syllabus in consultation with our faculty and a large number of alumni who have made their mark in the field. For instance, the economics dept realised that the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank was an ex-student. When we approached him, he was eager to help with the designing of the economics syllabus. We are contacting people from the industry, experts, etc.

How will the evaluation system change?
We are adopting a system based on semesters, credits, continuous internal evaluation system and the GPA. Our new system has been devised by our entire faculty and alumni.   The credit system has also been designed keeping our Jesuit philosophy in mind. So, included in the credit would be things like social involvement as well as field work or internship, which has never been part of many courses.

How will it affect the fee structure?
This is academic autonomy, so it has nothing to do with the financial aspect. Fees will remain the same.

What kind of student will the new system at St Xavier’s produce?
The critical thinking in academics would improve vastly, while the current exam system will be dissolved. This will be a major gain, to lose emphasis on rote learning. We’re also looking for our students becoming concerned with problems of India and the world.