Latest news with #KSHEC
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad opposes plan to introduce uniform Kerala Studies course
The Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP) has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu over the introduction of a common curriculum on Kerala Studies in universities. In a memorandum jointly issued by KSSP general secretary P.V. Divakaran and president T.K. Meerabai, the organisation opposed the proposed plan to prepare a common curriculum across all universities based on a book published by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC). Outlining its demands, KSSP stated its opposition towards a unified curriculum or textbook-centric approach for Kerala Studies. Such a stance could undermine the academic autonomy and restrict the ability of universities to reflect regional, cultural and historical diversity of their syllabi. It also stressed that the curriculum should go beyond tracing the conventional span of the State from its prehistoric hunter-gatherer roots to the Renaissance movements, and must include narratives of progressive democratic movements, the communist movement and the formation of modern Kerala. The move to rope in a private firm to publish the textbook has also come in for criticism. Calling the decision a violation of established academic procedures, the organisation demanded the restoration of due academic processes involving the Board of Studies and Academic Councils. Citing that most universities have already developed Kerala Studies content, KSSP urged the government to allow the statutory bodies of universities to independently refine these modules in consultation with the KSHEC, rather than imposing centrally produced content.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Textbook on Indian knowledge systems in Calicut varsity: decision left to V-C
Even as classes for undergraduate (UG) students began in colleges affiliated to the University of Calicut on June 2, a decision is yet to be taken on following the textbook on Indian knowledge systems prepared by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC). The multidisciplinary course is mandatory for third-semester students in the four-year programme. According to official sources, a steering committee on UG courses, which met last week, has left the decision to the Vice-Chancellor (V-C). There was some confusion among a section of teachers about the course after the KSHEC recently brought out the textbook titled Knowledge Systems of Kerala, because the university had already prepared its own syllabus on this much before. The KSHEC released its publication in both English and Malayalam, covering Kerala's traditional knowledge, including its performing arts, oral narratives, cultural practices, and documented literary sources. V-Cs of universities were requested to direct their Boards of Studies to consider this as a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. However, some teachers had claimed it was 'an infringement' on the authority of the statutory academic bodies that are tasked with curriculum development. They pointed out that the syllabus prepared by the university for the course on Kerala Knowledge Systems in 2024 was in line with the National Education Policy framework. It had been vetted by the academic council and the faculty members, too. Also, textbooks had been prepared and classes had begun based on the syllabus prepared by the university. It was claimed that prescribing a uniform syllabus that will have to be taught in translation by the departments of English, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, and other languages was against the concept of academic autonomy.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Internship Kerala 1.0 to connect 1 lakh FYUGP students with internship opportunities
Keltron has been roped in by the Higher Education department to develop a State-level internship portal, 'Internship Kerala 1.0', for students enrolled in four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUGP). The initiative will mark the first time an elaborate portal, envisaged to cater to 1 lakh students, is being launched to facilitate internships in Kerala. The decision to enlist public sector undertaking (PSU) is based on a proposal by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), which is tasked with identifying and empanelling agencies to establish Centres for Skill Development Courses and Career Planning (CSDCCP), envisaged to operate as skill development centres in all higher education institutions. Keltron, among other agencies, had already been enlisted to impart skill courses through the centres. Building on this collaboration, the State-owned company recently submitted a proposal to extend the utility of its developed portal to all FYUGP students. The portal is being designed for internships mandated in the curriculum during the fourth semester. It will serve as a crucial link between three key stakeholders: students, higher education institutions and industries. Multiple options Once inaugurated, 'Internship Kerala 1.0' will be accessible to all higher education institutions and students. Registered students will have the flexibility to choose from a multitude of internship options, aligning with their knowledge domains and preferences. The platform is expected to offer a diverse range of opportunities, categorised into free internships, internships with a stipend and paid internships. Keltron has been instructed that priority be given to internship opportunities within PSUs. KSHEC member secretary Rajan Varughese said the initiative is intended to exploit the untapped potential of PSUs in providing hands-on training to students and enhancing their employability. The involvement of public institutions is also aimed at bringing down internship expenses for students. He added that the universities have already forged partnerships with various public-sector skill enhancement agencies to operationalise the CSDCCPs. KSHEC has empanelled ASAP Kerala, Keltron, Institute of Human Resources Development, ICT Academy of Kerala, Centre for Continuing Education Kerala, Kerala State Centre for Advanced Printing and Training, and LBS Centre for the purpose. (EOM)
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Textbook on knowledge systems: Calicut varsity to take decision on June 11
The University of Calicut is expected to take a decision soon on whether to follow Knowledge Systems of Kerala, the textbook brought out by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) as the compulsory multi-disciplinary course of the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUGP), or use its own syllabus prepared for the purpose. A senior official told The Hindu on Sunday (June 8, 2025) that a steering committee for undergraduate courses would meet on June 11 to discuss the issue. The course is mandatory for third-semester students. The KSHEC's publication in English and Malayalam covers Kerala's traditional knowledge, including cultural practices, oral narratives, performing arts, and documented literary sources. Vice-Chancellors of State universities were requested to direct their Boards of Studies to consider it a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. A section of academics, however, had objected to the council imposing the textbook on universities, saying it was an infringement on the authority of the statutory academic bodies tasked with curriculum development. Meanwhile, in a letter to Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran, Senate member Abida Farooqui sought to clear the confusion over the issue. She pointed out that the university's Board of Studies had prepared the syllabus for the Kerala Knowledge Systems course in line with the National Education Policy framework in 2024. It was later vetted by the Academic Council and faculty members. Ms. Farooqui claimed that prescribing a uniform syllabus—one that would have to be taught in translation by the departments of English, Malayalam, Arabic, Urdu, Sanskrit, and other languages—went against the grain of academic autonomy. She said that textbooks had already been prepared and classes had begun based on the university's syllabus. Ms. Farooqui added that the university should proceed with its own syllabus and inform the council of its decision.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Minister R. Bindu releases Knowledge Systems of Kerala
Higher Education Minister R. Bindu formally released Knowledge Systems of Kerala, a textbook introduced by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), at a function held here on Thursday. The Minister presented the first copy of the book to Mar Ivanios College Principal Meera George. The event featured an introduction to the book by KSHEC vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal. Member secretary Rajan Varughese spoke on the occasion. The publication serves as an introductory outline of the indigenous knowledge systems that have evolved over centuries in Kerala. It encompasses a wide range of topics such as art forms, cultural practices, oral traditions, and documented knowledge in written texts. The book contains nine thematic chapters and is available in both English and Malayalam. It has been developed as a key resource for the multidisciplinary courses offered in the third semester of the four-year undergraduate programme. (EOM)
