Message from Prof. Abhai Maurya
Vice Chancellor, EFL University
The year 2008-2009 has been an eventful year in the life of the English and Foreign Languages University. The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, accorded approval to the First Ordinances of the University. The Visitor of the University, H.E., the President of India, approved the changes in the Statutes of the University according to which, academically, the University was restructured into 11 Schools and 38 departments. Apart from the 11 Schools, the University has also created two important centres as given below, under its Ordinances:
1. All India English Language Testing Authority (AIELTA)
2. Research and Creative Sources Generation Centre (RCSGC)
Continuing its developmental activities, the university digitalised most of its class rooms, augmented the computer centres for the students, renovated the dining halls and kitchens of existing hostels equipping them with the most modern equipment, undertook a thorough renovation of residential rooms and common facilities like reading and TV halls etc.
Construction of a 300-seater international hostel for men and another one for women with the same number of seats is in full swing presently. The first hostel is likely to be ready for occupation by July end, 2009. Approximately, 1000 seats are being added to the existing men’s and women’s hostels. Hopefully, all the non-local students may be accommodated in the most modern hostel rooms with up-to-date facilities and amenities.
Additional classroom space is being created and most likely the same will be available from the new academic year. A four-floor complex that will house the Gokak Auditorium, conference halls, new classrooms and offices is under construction. The guest house of the university, the distance education complex and EMRC building are being renovated and extended. The library also is being modernised and technologically updated.
Last year, we had started the following new courses:
i. Five-year Integrated M.A. Course in English
ii. Five-year Integrated M.A. Course in Arabic, French, German, Russian and Spanish
iii. Five-year Integrated M.A. Course in Mass Communication and Journalism
iv. One-year full-time Intensive Advanced Diploma in Russian
v. Five-year Integrated M.A. Course in English at both the Shillong and Lucknow Campuses
vi. Ph.D. in English (Linguistics and Phonetics) at the Lucknow Campus
The courses attracted a large number of aspirants and all the seats were filled both in the general and reserved categories. Indeed, the new courses have been extremely successful. Moreover, the number of Indian students increased almost 5 times and that of foreign students, 4 times. Students of the Five-year Integrated M.A. Courses in English or Journalism and Mass Communication are offered a compulsory course in any one of the foreign languages for four semesters (2 years). Similarly students of foreign languages study English for 4 semesters as a compulsory course. The benefits obtaining from these unique programmes could be enormous and they are already there for all to see.
Indeed, our students even with a B.A. (Hons) degree, which they get after pursuing the Five year Integrated M.A. Courses in English for three years, are a sought after lot by companies and other organisations, thanks to the high standard that they attain in English language. Moreover, with a B.A. (Hons) degree in English, Foreign languages and Journalism and Mass Communication, the students could pursue higher studies in fields like MBA and others and that too with an added advantage accruing to them, thanks to proficiency in English and foreign languages. Indeed, our courses are, for all practical purposes, emerging as professional courses offering immense job and career prospects.
The University also offers the course, which could be termed unique in more than one sense, i.e., the B.Ed. course in English (a self-financed course) and Post-Graduate Diploma in the Teaching of English (PGDTE). Both of these are extremely sought after courses. Students passing out from these programmes are recruited in prestigious schools and other educational institutions. Indeed, the placements for our B.Ed. graduates have been 100% over the years. Most of these graduates get offers from more than one prestigious school with quite attractive pay packages.
From this academic year, the University is introducing an M.A. in English through the Distance Mode, which, we are sure, will be a big draw. Most of the departments are starting their independent M.Phil. and Ph.D. Programmes from the current academic session.
A Welfare University
The University has introduced a welfare fee structure, i.e., by taking a reasonable amount of fees from those who can pay and exempting those from the payment of fees who cannot afford. Apart from this, the University from its self-generated funds has created a students’ welfare fund out of which the University gives stipend to needy students to the extent of Rs.1000/- per month, apart from a book allowance of Rs.1000/- annually. Such students are also exempted from monthly maintenance charges and room rent in the hostel. We are proud to say that in the year 2008-2009 the University was able to provide different stipends and fellowships to almost 80% of its students.
It may be mentioned that all M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars of the University are eligible to get UGC fellowships (M.Phil. Rs. 3000/- p.m., which is likely to be increased to Rs. 5000/- p.m., and Ph.D. Rs. 5000/- p.m., which is likely to be increased to Rs. 8000/- p.m.). These scholarships are over and above the JRFs given by the UGC.
Apart from this, in a modest way, the University has also launched ‘Earn while you learn’ scheme in the University and a number of scholars have been engaged in teaching and other activities under this dispensation.
The University provides full medical care to all its full-time students (excluding the self financing students of the professional courses), including hospitalisation, free of cost.
A Multi-Campus University
The EFL University presently has three campuses, Hyderabad, (the main campus) Lucknow and Shillong campuses. With a view to coming up to the expectation of the all India jurisdiction of the University, we are trying to set up two more campuses of the University, one in Haryana, and the other in Kerala.
The University also implements Govt. of India schemes through the District Centres (approx. 35 in number), Institutes of English Language Training (16 in number) and Regional Institutes of English (Chandigarh and Bengaluru). Through this network, the University reaches out to the remotest areas located in the interior of the country for training teachers of English at all levels of teaching, which indeed is a unique feather in the cap of the University.
The EFL University – a Nodal Institution for English and FL Studies in India
The EFL University, being the only central university in the field of English and Foreign Languages in the country, has been carrying out proficiency courses in English language for international and Indian learners. For instance, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, the EFL University has been conducting proficiency courses in English for learners coming from Latin America, Africa, CIS, Arab, ASEAN and other developing countries. Thus, the University is emerging as an international cultural hub in the true sense of the word, in the field of English and Foreign Languages.
The International Dimension of the EFL University
The University has been called upon by the Government of India to create Centres for English Language Training (CELTs) in several countries. For instance, the University is collaborating in creating and running CELTs in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Probably, sooner than later, such centres will also be opened in Indonesia and other countries. The University admits a large number of foreign students to its full-time courses, to both under-graduate and post-graduate streams. The foreign students come to the University through ICCR and private channels.
The EFL University has signed MoUs with several universities and organisations of the world. Under these agreements, the University realises student-exchange, teacher-exchange, joint research projects, joint organisation of conferences, seminars and symposiums etc. Students are also sent, for a semester, to study abroad at the campus of the universities with which we have an agreement. The University bears the cost of air travel for such students and the host university provides them the hospitality, which is a unique feature of the EFL University. The students of the University, thanks to their exposure to a multi-cultural milieu are likely to have unique opportunities in developing their personality in a holistic manner. Their mental and intellectual horizons experience unprecedented enrichment thanks to the exposure to cross-cultural exchanges and encounters. The EFL University, thus, is emerging as a truly international university.
Wishing a very exciting new academic year to one and all!
Sincerely yours
Professor Abhai Maurya
Vice Chancelor