Ashoka University to Launch New Major Courses

From this next academic session 2017-2018, Ashoka University is going to launch pure majors in two another subjects like Physics and Biology.

The institute right now runs majors in the following subjects-

• Humanities and social sciences
• Computer science
• Mathematics
• Psychology.

However, the tuition fee remains the same and it is not divided as per courses. Those students opting for sciences major can avail the university’s need-based scholarship.

Also Read: HRD Ministry Gives Panjab University Rs 50 Crore Grant

University's principal advisor on academic, Malabika Sarkar said that the selection at the university is based on merit. It includes both academic and extracurricular achievement. The scholarships are entirely based upon need.

What prompted the university to introduce the two new programmes?

Malabika Sarkar said that the science programme will help create a strong enthusiasm for research in young students of the university. Students will not only get current and in-depth knowledge of science subjects but also will be able to contextualise this knowledge with inputs from the social sciences and humanities. Besides that, students will gain a lot of exposure to new careers at the intersection of humanities and science. For example, there is a host of new careers such as sociology of science, science journalism, or science policy.

Also Read: Javadekar to Visit Panjab University in September

The university has already involved several Indian scientists to its Science Advisory Committee. They will be guiding them on resources, curriculum and faculty recruitment.

These scientists are -

• Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, physicist and former director, from TIFR Mumbai

• Rajeeva Karandikar, mathematician and director, from Chennai Mathematical Institute
• L S Shashidhara, Biologist, coordinator of Biology, from IISER, Pune