Sindh Madressatul Islam University’s Academic Council Tuesday decided that the modified undergraduate policy of Higher Education Commission will be implemented at SMIU as it has been formed according to the needs of the day and will benefit the students at large. This decision was taken in a special meeting of the Academic Council, which was held at the Senate Hall of the university with Dr. MujeebSahrai, Vice Chancellor in the chair.
The Academic Council discussed the modified curriculum designed by the HEC for undergraduate programs in detail and decided that after seeing the ground realities at SMIU, new courses will be added to the syllabus of the university. These new general courses are included in the HEC’s policy:
Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences, Functional English, Expository Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Islamic Studies (or) Religious Education/Ethics in lieu of Islamic Studies only for non-Muslim students, Ideology and Constitution of Pakistan, Applications of Information and Communication Technologies, Entrepreneurship and Civics and Community Engagement.The council was informed that the majority of these courses are being taught at SMIU.
The Academic Council resolved that the mode of implementation of modified curriculum for different departments will be finalized in the Board of Studies and Board of Faculties, then recommendations of these bodies will be placed before the next meeting of the Academic Council for final approval. The Academic Council formed a five-member committee that will look into some new courses that may be started at SMIU as per the policy of HEC. The committee will be comprised of Dr. Zahid Ali Channar, Dr. Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, Dr. JamshedAdilHalepoto, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Khan and Dr. Stephen John.
The Academic Council also resolved that at present SMIU shall continue its four-year degree program but in the future when required resources will be available at SMIU two-year associate degree program and a five-year degree program will be added. Vice Chancellor SMIU praised the new undergraduate policy of the HEC and termed it most important for grooming and learning of students. He also lauded the inclusion of the Field Experience/Internship of six to eight weeks as the mandatory degree awarding requirement. It was much needed for the learning of students as I had personally advocated for it on many forums in the country, Dr. MujeebSahrai said.
He directed the deans and chairpersons of SMIU to include field experience/internship in the syllabus of their respective departments and explore opportunities for students field work. He said SMIU will fully support students in their field work and will provide them with facilities whatsoever they are needed. He emphasized on the importance of strengthening linkages with private and public sector organizations and industries. Besides other members of the Academic Council DrZaheeruddin Khan and Dr. KhalidaGhous also attended the meeting.
