Utkal University in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, June 20: Utkal University has introduced two new self-financing courses — Master of Law in human rights and MSc (Tech) in material science engineering – from the new academic session.

The human rights course, which would be taught by the postgraduate department of law, will have 10 seats. The entire course is spread over two years, which has been further divided into four semesters. Only law graduates are eligible to apply for the human rights course, the fee for which is Rs 20,000.

The syllabus for the Master of Law in human rights would deal with some key issues, such as law and social transformation in India, Indian constitutional law and its emerging challenges, legal education, conceptual framework of human rights, international human rights law, regional conventions of human rights and international courts, contemporary human rights situations and issues, and human rights violation, protection and enforcement in India. There would also be chapters on the rights of socially disadvantaged groups and refugees, and on laws on them.

The course would receive partial funding from the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi.

“The UGC had suggested us to start this course which was approved this year by the university’s syndicate. Since there are just 10 seats, we are expecting all seats to be filled up,” said P.K. Sarkar, chairman of the postgraduate council of Utkal University.

The other course on material science engineering would be a five-year integrated course divided into 10 semesters. The course will be run in collaboration with the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (Cipet), Chennai. There would be 25 seats for this course. Candidates for this course would be selected through an all-India entrance test which would be conducted by the Chennai-based institute. Students who secure first division in Plus Two science would be able to take the entrance test for this course. The course fee is Rs 25,000 per year. Classes for the material science engineering course would be held both at Cipet, Bhubaneswar, and at Utkal’s chemistry department.

With these two additions, the number of self-financing courses being offered under the university now stands at 19, excluding the three UGC innovative programmes – development journalism and electronic communication, tourism and heritage management, and yoga therapy and education.

The sale of application forms for these two courses has started from June 17 at the university sales counters. The forms are also available online on the university’s official website (www.utkal-university.org) from June 11. The last date for purchase of forms is June 30. The cost of the application form has been fixed at Rs 150, while the course’s entrance test fee is Rs 200. The admission process is expected to be over by the last week of July. University sources said a couple of other courses were also in the pipeline and would be introduced from next year after due approval.

“There are about two or three course proposals pending for approval, out of which one is on management and another on computer science,” said sources.