Ranchi, May 16: Ranchi University has decided to start 17 new self-financed vocational courses from the next academic session.

In a step towards that direction, the university today forwarded a proposal for a one-time grant from the University Grants Commission to start M.Sc. in biotechnology at Ranchi Women?s College, Marwari College and RU postgraduate department of botany.

The Ranchi University Council for Vocational Studies (RUCVS) coordinator P.K. Verma said: ?We expect a quick response from the UGC. Once the one-time grant for M.Sc. in biotechnology is sanctioned, we will set the ball rolling for admissions and faculty positions. We hope to begin the new courses in the next academic session (2005-06).?

?At the postgraduate level, we have already begun an LLM course at Ranchi College. Besides, six more courses are in the pipeline. The proposed programmes include a postgraduate diploma in plant bio-technology, master in social welfare, postgraduate diploma in food preservation and bakery and postgraduate diploma in library and information sciences,? he added.

In addition, Verma added, 11 new courses will be opened in the constituent colleges.

?The university is already running around 17 vocational courses at 19 colleges and four postgraduate-level courses in the physics, mathematics, botany and commerce departments,? Verma said.

To ensure smooth functioning of the vocational courses in different colleges and postgraduate departments, the RUCVS on May 13 gave a green signal to the principals and postgraduate heads to expedite the process of appointing grade III and IV staff.

The university, on the other hand, will recruit the teaching faculty.

Both the appointments, however, would be on contractual basis.

In another major development on the vocational courses front, the university has assigned the building plan of the Jharkhand Institute of Applied Sciences (JIAS) to a university architect.

A detailed proposal along with the construction plan of the five-storied building will be forwarded to the state government in a week?s time.

The building will house all self-financed courses, including those being run by the university at present.