In a bid to bring in uniformity among the affiliated colleges that offer postgraduate courses, Calcutta University (CU) will take up the reins of these courses from now on.

The university has decided to set question papers and also formulate the syllabus of the postgraduate courses conducted by the affiliated colleges. A large section of colleges affiliated under the university offers Master degre in several subjects, but these colleges had the independence to structure their own syllabus and also set question papers.

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These colleges enjoyed autonomy status and till now answer scripts were also checked by the teachers of the colleges. The university only sends a nominee to monitor the academic quality of the particular institution. The certificates, however, bore the name of the university.

However, syllabus of some of these colleges varied to a large extent from that offered by the university’s postgraduate courses. The vice-chancellor of CU, Ms Sonali Chakravorty Banerjee, said: “There is a need to bring in uniformity among the colleges that offer masters degree courses under us and so the university has decided to form their syllabus and question papers.”

This move, authorities are hopeful will set a common standard for the students studying masters in the university as well as in the affiliated colleges.

Professor Ramprohlad Chowdhury associated with Calcutta University Teachers’ Association(CUTA) said: “This decision was long due. While a section of the students affiliated to colleges had to work hard to get a first class, others easily scored their marks as marking patterns followed by the colleges varied. Some colleges are thorough in correcting scripts and followed the marking pattern of the university. While a section of the colleges were very lenient with markings. This disparity needed to be checked and a standardisation had to be brought in.

“Also there was a huge disparity in the syllabus taught and question papers set by the colleges.” The Calcutta University will hold a syndicate meeting on Monday where all the details of the plan will be finalised.