New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia is likely to do away with its entrance exam for engineering courses and admit students through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
The JEE-Main which is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is used as a selection examination for all central government-funded technical schools, including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), while students opting for the IITs need to clear the JEE-Advanced exam.
"We have initiated process for the same and have approached the concerned authorities. There are certain procedures that need to be followed, hopefully we will be able to admit the students through JEE exam from the next academic session," Jamia VC Talat Ahmad told reporters here.
"It will not only help us deal better with chances of paper leak but also the recognition of courses offered by Jamia will improve significantly since the students will be admitted through JEE," he added.
About the varsity's plan to come up with a medical college, the Vice Chancellor said he his waiting for the land dispute to be resolved.
Jamia's ambitious bid of opening a medical college-cum- hospital had suffered a setback after the Supreme Court in October 2014 disapproved of the haste shown by Delhi government in acquiring and transferring the disputed land in south Delhi to the university.
Questions regarding the title of the 114 acre property, where the proposed medical facility was supposed to come up, arose after Uttar Pradesh government claimed the land was owned by it and it also had the possession.
"We are waiting for the land dispute to be resolved. As soon as we have clarity on the same, we will approach the Medical Council of India (MCI)," he said.
The varsity which is celebrating its 95th Foundation Day on October 29 is also planning to introduce a Global Jamia Alumni Network (GJAN), an online interactive platform for the alumni to connect with each other.
"GJAN will be launched during the three-day foundation day celebrations starting from October 29. The network will enable the institution to co-opt distinguished alumni on various statutory bodies to strengthen interface with industry," Ahmad said.
The Vice Chancellor said plans for a Sanskrit Department, expansion of the APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarships and introduction of Mass Online Open Courses (MOOCs) are in the pipeline.
"Having got the NAAC accreditation with Grade A we are now aspiring for the International ranking. In this regard, we are engaged with agencies such as Times Higher Education and QS Ranking," he said.
The foundation-day celebrations will be inaugurated on October 29 by Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh.
Book fair, grassroot innovation exhibition, photography exhibition, film screening, plays, career expo, ghazal and mushaira performances, and public lectures will be the highlights of the programme.
