Delhi University was first supposed to implement the semester system at the postgraduate level from the academic session 2008-09. Why the delay?
With the introduction of the semester system has come the opportunity to revise our courses. Changing course structure and weaving in inter-disciplinarity is time consuming. It also needs to be done in a systematic manner. The report of the reforms committee for post-graduation was passed at the academic council meeting in February this year The time between the meeting and the new academic session was not enough to implement the semester system.

We have to work on a war footing even now to bring it in by next year Why introduce the concept of interdisciplinary instruction in postgraduate courses?
I don't see a reason why an Economics student should not have an idea of Sociology In today's world, knowledge of only one field does not take you too far. There is a need for proficiency in more than one subject and inter-disciplinarity in teaching will lead to that.

Will allowing students to choose courses in other subjects lead to overburdening of departments?
First of all, this does not mean that students will now be given unlimited options.

We are trying to introduce inter-disciplinarity in subjects that are known to benefit from it. As far as dealing with increase in students is concerned, we are planning to build three new buildings, two of which will have classrooms that can be used by all departments. These classrooms will be equipped with the latest facilities. The work should begin in a month or two.

By when do you plan to introduce the semester system at the undergraduate level?
I would like to see that happening in 2010. We haven't started work on that yet.

Delhi University has amended the PhD ordinance and will implement the semester system as per the UGC directive earlier this year. Which suggestion will DU embrace next?
We will now look at introducing grading scale and credit based courses, which will keep our evaluation system at par the universities abroad.