Ranchi University. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Nov. 9: Ranchi University (RU) is mooting a proposal to run a specialised course on comparative literature and national integration at postgraduate level. A proposal for the course would be sent to University Grants Commission (UGC) soon.

“A course on comparative literature is on offer at Bengal based Jadavpur University, but the input of national integration would add more value to it” said RU vice-chancellor A.A. Khan, “

“Languages act as a social barrier as well as a binding force. Through comparison of literature in different languages, we can identify the cultural similarities and difference. An academic comparison can, therefore, make us understand the culture associated with a language and help in national integration. The course would also be of vocational value as the economic and political activities in the country today have increased the requirement of translators and language experts,” Khan told The Telegraph.

RU sources said during the forthcoming visit of UGC team from November 17 onwards for the inspection of different post-graduate departments under RU, university authorities would disclose the exact plans of proposed course.

“We require a new building for this purpose for which we would approach UGC. Moreover, posts of teaching and non-teaching staffs need to be created at the level of state government,” said Khan.

A proposal amounting to Rs 1.85 crore has been prepared by the RU authorities to be placed before the UGC. A time frame of two years has been set up for the new department to become operational.

On November 11, when RU would celebrate National Education Day on the occasion of birth anniversary of eminent academician Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Khan may announce university’s decision to approach UGC and state government for opening a post-graduate course on Comparative Literature and National Integration.

The same department would also offer studies on Gandhian thoughts, fundamental rights and human rights among others.

RU would open after puja vacations tomorrow. The UGC team is scheduled to visit from November 17 to 20 to different post-graduate departments which are to be funded by the commission under 11th five-year plan.

The state itself is in need of scholars having the knowledge of more than one language. For the uplift of tribal languages that have failed to draw students at undergraduate level, the comparative literature course could prove to be a boon.

At present, the education department has vacancies for tribal language teachers in all the government run schools. The department has recently released santhali textbooks for primary classes. However, the schools do not have teachers to help the students in using these textbooks.

The status of faculties in the colleges too is not satisfactory. The students complain that they do not opt for the tribal languages because the colleges do not have quality teachers.

The lack of teachers has even forced some colleges to review their decision to offer tribal languages as a subject. A course in comparative literature might change the scenario, as it would produce experts having the option to teach more than one language.