Online subscription of journals hailed

BANGALORE: Academicians and institutions in the city welcomed All India Council for Technical Education’s (AICTE) move to make online subscriptions of journals, especially foreign e-journals compulsory. However, many expressed reservations on the cost factor, as international online journals were expensive. Amidst concerns that the habit of reading or referring to journals was lowering, Dr H Maheshappa, Vice-Chancellor, Visvesvaraya Technological University, told Express that the move looks at the greater common good. “It is always better to have good journals. Colleges would not subscribe to them if it is not made mandatory,” he opined.He further added that the cost factor was always negotiable. “It may be a problem for new institutions to afford expensive online journals. In the interest of students’ research and learning, the cost factor can always be negotiated,” he said. For the first time, AICTE has revised its journal policy and has prescribed mandatory subscription of foreign e-journals on computers, management, engineering, pharmacy, architecture, biotechnology, hotel management  and other coures. The annual subscription cost of some foreign journals could range from 1,000 to 6,500 US dollars.  While the policy covers several fields, engineering and technological institutions in particular, welcomed this move owing to the serious need to improve standards of technical education in the country. “Earlier, subscription of print journals was mandatory. But there is a need to keep up with changing trend. Online journals are more accessible. Cost is not a deterrent. If the subscription cost comes up to Rs 15 lakh, divide that by 3,000 students,” said a senior academician from R V College of Engineering.“I think the question here is whether the move is feasible and can colleges sustain. With 6 lakh engineering seats vacant, this move can backfire. However, good journals are a must for students who are pursuing research. A mix of Indian and foreign journals would be good. AICTE has to come forward to provide these journals at a subsidised rate, so that the burden would not fall on students,” said Dr K R Venugopal, regional committee member, AICTE and principal of University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.  “Before making it mandatory, we should have looked at whether Under graduate students are making use of journals, given the tightness of their syllabus. However, it is a welcome move,” added Dr Venugopal.