After over 60 years of Urdu coming to an end to be a language of higher education at Osmania University (OU), the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (Manuu) is in the process of introducing it as a medium for bachelor and masters degrees in technical education.
The Maulana Azad National Urdu University (Manuu) was set up by the Central government in 1996. It was in 1949 that English replaced Urdu as a medium of instruction in Osmania University after about a quarter century.
Though a five-year integrated programme M Tech was introduced in the university three years ago, technical courses in Urdu has now gathered momentum. The move is likely to benefit students who have studied in madrassas and in Urdu medium schools and colleges.
According to Manuu vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Mohammed Miyan, although the books are primarily in English, the course as such is being “transacted” in Urdu.
Moreover, the university received a shot in the arm this year when it was granted permission to increase its M Tech faculty from three to nine.
“We have been informed that OU has material such as text books on technical education in Urdu. By going through proper channels, we are planning to use it. Although the material maybe outdated, it will be helpful in using correct terminology. The courses which have been designed in English will be translated into Urdu by a committee of competent translators,” the VC said.
Subject-wise committees have also been constituted, he added.
However, the project comes with its set of challenges, the first being that of securing copyrights, if any, of the books in Urdu.
Secondly, the availability of teaching staff equipped with adequate knowledge of Urdu to teach subjects and the third being the capability of students from an Urdu medium background in a job market that lays emphasis on proficiency in English.
“We have a six-month course in Urdu for recently appointed faculty to equip them with knowledge of Urdu, which is one of the mandates of the university. In addition to this, English as a subject is compulsory till the second year in all courses,” Prof Miyan said.
The modalities for establishing a placement cell for all technical courses are being worked out and likely to be operational in six months, he added.
But, Educationists, noted that the ambitious project warrants the establishment of a translation bureau and that just a committee of translators would not suffice.
“As was seen in OU, which had a translation bureau, such a challenging task should also have such a setup. Also, the faculty, while teaching the subject in Urdu, would have to teach them the contemporary terminology employed,” said an educationist on the condition of anonymity.