Be fit, get six marks: Calicut University's fitness mantra

KOZHIKODE: The students of Calicut University have one more reason now to take care of their fitness. The University has launched the College Fitness Education Programme (CoFE) with the aim of improving the fitness of students by involving them in physical activities which will even bring them marks along with fitness. The programme, launched in all teaching departments as well as among affiliated colleges, is a two-year project divided among four semesters. Successful students will get a maximum of six marks every semester which will be added to their total marks. The project will be implemented from this academic year.

Nearly two lakh students from among the 427 affiliated colleges and 35 teaching departments directly under the University will be benefited by the project. The CoFE programme is being implemented among degree students during their first four semesters. In each semester, those who enrol for the programme will have to attend 10 theory classes and six test events. The six test events can be selected from a group of 30 events including standing long jump, push up, pull up, rope climbing, run etc. Those events selected for a semester cannot be selected for another semester. So basically, during the second semester, the student has to choose his six test events from 24 remaining items.  A minimum of 80 percent attendance is a must for the course.

For physically challenged students, instead of a physical practical test, a 20-mark exam will  be conducted in order to get the marks. The programme will be monitored by the University Physical Education department and at college level, there will be a five-member committee to look after it. Speaking to  DC, Calicut University Physical Education department Director Dr V.P Sakeer Hussain said that colleges without a dedicated physical education department or teachers would not be allowed to conduct the course.  “Studies show that over 90 per cent of total students lack fitness. It is for the first time that an Indian university is launching such a project.  Our aim is to create awareness among students and society about the importance of physical fitness in life and thereby bring positive changes in society. We are also hoping to use this as a platform to identify talents among students,” he added.