Patna University is still awaiting the chancellor’s approval to introduce the semester system for its post-graduate courses despite switching to the mode a month ago.

Sources said the Governor-cum-chancellor of universities of Bihar Devanand Konwar has not yet given his nod to the introduction of semester system at Patna University (PU). The delay has become a point of discussion among the university teachers, as denial to the new system could trigger hiccups.

A senior postgraduate teacher of PU, preferring anonymity, said: “It has been almost one-and-a-half months that the semester system was introduced and the first semester examination is scheduled for December. The results would be declared in January. But till now, Raj Bhavan has not given its approval.”

The teacher added that if the Raj Bhavan did not grant approval before the first semester examination, it would nullify the legal status of the course. “A course regulation, as well its ordnance, is passed only after a nod from the Raj Bhavan. Till now, there is no regulation or ordnance to govern the semester system. In such a situation, the semester system does not have any legal status,” added the senior teacher.

Dean of science U.K. Sinha said: “According to University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, the semester system was to be introduced from July, 2012. If we fail to do it on time, the UGC would stop providing us with funds for infrastructure and academic improvement.”

PU introduced the semester system once the university senate, the syndicate and the academic council approved it in anticipation that Raj Bhavan would do the same.

V.S. Dube, a senior teacher of geology department, said: “As the Raj Bhavan has not given nod to the semester system, teachers are confused in which mode they have to collect fees from students.”

PU vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh said: “We have introduced the semester system only after getting the chancellor’s verbal assurance. The committee at Raj Bhavan that looks after the university affairs has given its nod. We are optimistic that the written approval from the chancellor’s office will reach the varsity soon.”

Former PU VC and senior geography teacher Sudipto Adhikari said: “We introduced the semester system to fulfil the UGC guidelines and it is not the brainchild of the university. We don’t think that Raj Bhavan would have any problem in giving its nod.”

The introduction of the semester system at the postgraduate level has changed the teaching methodology to suit the new syllabus. Students are assessed semester-wise rather than an on annual basis.