Bhubaneswar, July 7: The Utkal University of Culture has decided to implement choice-based credit system (CBCS) for postgraduate courses from this academic session to provide students with a wider choice of subjects and more flexibility.

Under the system, a student can take interdisciplinary subjects, along with their regular courses. They will have to appear in four half-yearly (semester) examinations instead of two annual examinations at the master's degree level.

Apart from enrolling in a particular course, they can also opt for an allied elective course. "This type of curriculum ensures an interdisciplinary approach to learning. They can take courses of their choice and also enhance their knowledge in their preferred fields. A student enrolled in the performing art course can also take economic as his allied elective subject. It will also enhance employability options for the students," said vice-chancellor Debendranath Jena.

Implementation of the new system would mean adequate number of teachers. "The decision to implement the system was taken after evaluating necessary requirements. We have enough staff to start the system," said Jena.

That apart, the varsity will start a four-year bachelor degree programme from this year for professional courses. Students taking admission into the colleges affiliated to the varsity will appear for eight semester examinations instead of three.

At present, there are around 45 institutions affiliated under the varsity that runs professional courses such as tourism management, hotel management, textile designing and animation.

"The four-year bachelor course will ensure better skill development of the students. This model is acceptable in the foreign countries so students going abroad for further studies will have an edge over others," said Jena.

The Utkal University of Culture was established in 1999 to preserve, promote, propagate and protect the cultural richness of the state.