Mangalore University to Roll Out Digital Evaluation for Postgraduate Programs
Mangalore University has announced a significant shift towards digital evaluation for its postgraduate courses. Starting next semester, the university will implement this system using the Unified University and College Management System (UUCMS). Vice-Chancellor PL Dharma made this announcement on Saturday during the second general academic council meeting in Mangaluru.
Pilot Project Focuses on Campus-Based PG Courses
The university will begin with a pilot project targeting campus-based postgraduate programs at its Mangalagangothri campus in Konaje. Dharma explained that the institution lacks the resources to launch digital evaluation for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses simultaneously. Therefore, they are starting with the PG segment, which has fewer than 2,000 students and involves approximately 17,000 answer scripts.
Digital evaluation will initially cover the second and fourth semesters of these programs. If the pilot proves successful, the university plans to extend the system to undergraduate courses as well. This phased approach allows for careful testing and adjustment before a full-scale rollout.
Advantages and Infrastructure Utilization
Dharma highlighted several key benefits of moving to digital evaluation. The university will use its existing computer lab facilities as an evaluation centre. This setup promises faster processing times and earlier declaration of results. He noted that a similar pilot was conducted in the MBA department about eight years ago, providing some prior experience.
The vice-chancellor emphasized that this move aims to reduce costs and improve convenience for evaluators. The university is exploring remote-access evaluation models. Such models would minimize travel requirements for faculty to evaluation centres, cutting down on travel expenses and daily allowance payments.
In this new system, the university is considering increasing the remuneration per answer script to compensate evaluators appropriately. Sources within UUCMS indicated that the platform will be offered to state universities using existing infrastructure, further helping to reduce evaluation costs across the board.
Addressing Marks Card Concerns
During the academic council meeting, Dharma also addressed issues related to marks cards. He stated that the university had issued physical consolidated marks cards in response to student requests. This decision came because some employers and foreign universities did not accept the digital versions generated through UUCMS.
The university has already issued these physical marks cards to around 17,500 undergraduate students. Printing for postgraduate marks cards is currently underway. Dharma confirmed that this move was undertaken with the approval of the state government, ensuring compliance and support.
This dual approach—digital evaluation for exams and physical marks cards for verification—shows the university's commitment to balancing innovation with practical needs. The initiative reflects broader trends in educational technology while addressing specific local challenges.
