By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 20 July 2015: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued directions to all universities in the country seeking changes in the curriculum to include combating terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
The UGC issued two separate notices on 17th July – one deals with terrorism and other with WMD. The UGC has asked universities “to avoid such elements which may advance the agenda of terrorism” and to include “vital issues such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), disarmament, peaceful uses of chemistry in the university curricula.”
UGC guideline on Terror
“The Government of India had set up the second Administrative Reforms Commission which submitted its eighth report. The eighth report on combating terrorism, protecting by righteousness deals with the menace of terrorism. The menace of terrorism is an unprecedented threat which requires extraordinary and multi-prolonged action by all organs of the government and society,” says the UGC notice on terror.
UGC notice on combating terrorism
“One of the recommendations of the report contains that the media is a source for all channels of mass information and communication. Therefore, media policy should include principles of self-restraint. The institutions imparting education in mass communication and journalism need to be sensitised to avoid such elements which may advance the agenda of terrorism. You are requested to kindly bring it to the notice of all your departments imparting mass communication and journalism education of the recommendations,” it says.
UGC guideline on WMD
“The Government of India is a prominent signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention has decided that education and awareness should be a thrust area to create mass awareness of chemical disarmament.”
“The most important target is the youth studying in schools and colleges. The coverage of topics on such important and vital issues such as weapons of mass destruction, disarmament and peaceful uses of chemistry are grossly inadequate in our curriculum at university level. The young students who are well conversant with profound scientific principles and advanced technological applications are largely ignorant of important international conventions like Chemical Weapons Convention which have a bearing on the welfare of the entire humankind.”
UGC notice on inclusion of WMD in curriculum
“You are requested to kindly take necessary measures for inclusion of vital issues such as weapons of mass destruction (WMD), disarmament, peaceful uses of chemistry in the university curricula.”
