Urdu courses back at open BR Ambedkar University

Hyderabad: Following severe criticism, the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University has restored the Urdu medium courses for undergraduate courses for 2017-18, after removing them earlier this month.

However, the page on the university’s website showing academic programmes does not show the Urdu medium option. Students want the corresponding changes to be updated on the website of the university so that they can join the courses with a sense of security and confidence.

Students urged the university to introduce more courses like psychology, journalism, education and social welfare in Urdu medium.

Ms Anisa Begum a student who qualified the entrance exam for an UG course at the university, said, “We were very distressed after learning about the discontinuation of the Urdu medium courses. We are now relieved that we can take admission into the courses. It would have become almost impossible for us if the university had not restored the Urdu medium courses’’.

Ms Shabana Begum, a student seeking admission in BA course through Urdu medium, said. “I want to become a Urdu teacher. From childhood I have studied in Urdu medium so it would have become really difficult for us if the university chose not to restore the courses. We are glad that the university has understood our problem. We request the university to provide us Urdu materials in time”.

University registrar Prof. C Venkataiah said, “Earlier we had just put Urdu medium courses on hold due to lack of translators for study materials and shortage of Urdu faculty as some teachers had retired a few months back.”

“Now we have approached Manuu for translators. Once the English medium materials are ready, we will get the translations done for Telugu and Urdu medium courses,” he said. The University has appointed some contract lecturers for Urdu medium courses, Prof. Venkataiah said.