Mahatma Gandhi University campus in Kottayam.
Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam is preparing to roll out one-year postgraduate programmes by 2028, when the first batch of students admitted to its four-year undergraduate programmes is scheduled to graduate.The university Syndicate, which met on Tuesday (September 8, 2026), decided to initiate preparations for the new programmes, including curriculum development, following a directive from the State Higher Education Council to introduce one-year PG courses for graduates of four-year degree programmes.“The State Higher Education Council has already directed all universities to take the necessary steps to introduce one-year PG programmes. We need to design the curriculum and make other preparations, and the Syndicate has decided to begin the process,” said a Syndicate member.Syllabi revisionThe Syndicate also decided to revise the syllabi of the existing two-year PG programmes. These courses will continue for students who opt for three-year undergraduate programmes even after the one-year PG courses are introduced. The two-year programmes, however, are expected to be phased out eventually.The university will also address shortcomings in the four-year honours degree programmes and revise their syllabi to make them more industry friendly, job oriented and focused on skill development.The Syndicate further resolved to re-inspect research centres that, according to the university, were sanctioned in violation of UGC regulations during the tenure of the previous Syndicate appointed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. The exercise is aimed at ensuring that the centres meet the prescribed standards and maintain the quality of research.Assistance schemeIt also approved the Hope Fund, a new assistance scheme for students of university departments who require financial support following disasters or accidents. The fund provides assistance of up to ₹1 lakh, compared with the ₹10,000 available under the existing student assistance scheme.The university has already sanctioned ₹1 lakh under the scheme for Anand Joshi, a PhD scholar who was involved in a road accident. He is the first beneficiary of the Hope Fund. PhD scholars were not covered under the existing student assistance scheme.A student can avail of the Hope Fund only once during the course of study. The university will consider factors including academic performance and conduct while deciding assistance. The student’s annual family income should not exceed ₹1 lakh. Insurance compensation received for the same incident will not be taken into account while determining the assistance.The Syndicate also decided to restore the single ballot system, which was followed until 2021, for the election of student representatives to the University Senate. Published - September 08, 2026 08:44 pm IST
