Vice-chancellor Bimal Kumar (centre) speaks at the academic council meeting in Muzaffarpur. Telegraph picture

Muzaffarpur, Sept. 9: The academic council of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University has turned down the proposal to approve the new courses introduced in some of the constituent colleges under the self-finance scheme.

Principals of several constituent colleges under the university had introduced the courses on the verbal instructions of then acting vice-chancellor (VC) Rajendra Prasad Mishra. The institutions thought the varsity council would approve the courses.

But the things changed after Mishra was removed and the new VC, Bimal Kumar, took charge in the last month.

Mishra had introduced the new courses under the self-finance scheme in 12 constituent colleges, including Langat Singh College, Ram Dayalu Singh College and several other colleges in Hajipur, Motihari and Sitamarhi districts under the university. The principals of these colleges had sought permission from the university to allow teaching of the new courses like commerce, geography, geology, Persian, chemistry and physics at the graduation-level.

The university, at the behest of the former acting VC, allowed the colleges to start the new courses under the self-finance scheme. Later, the varsity tabled the proposal before the academic council for its approval. But the academic panel refused to put its seal on the new courses.

Expressing concern over the inferior quality of education being imparted to the students under the new courses, the members of the council denied permission to run them.

The academic council also slammed the style of functioning of the principals of the constituent colleges for allowing admissions without setting any guideline.

Bimal Kumar, who is also the chairman of the council, said he had sent a stern message to the principals for taking admission for the new courses.

The VC, however, hinted that the statutory committee of the university would look into the approval issue again.

The academic council has, however, approved the plan for introducing the semester system of examination for 18 postgraduate courses from the 2011 academic year. The council has also discussed at length the future plan for introducing the semester system in the undergraduate courses.