MP: 'Missing' Mandarin adds to confusion at Sanchi University

Bhopal: The ‘dropping’ of Mandarin from among the foreign languages in the new National Education Policy (NEP) announced two days ago, has led to confusion among students pursuing higher studies at the Sanchi University. The varsity offers a one-year diploma course and a short-term six-month certificate course in Chinese language.

The NEP approved by the Union cabinet does not mention ‘Chinese’ among the foreign languages for students at the secondary level.

The ‘Chinese’ language (rather than Mandarin or Cantonese) was mentioned in the draft released in 2019. It had named French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese as foreign languages which could be offered as electives.

Interestingly, the diploma and short-term course in Chinese language at Sanchi University were popular among the ITBP personnel. This could be gauged from the fact that 36 personnel were enrolled for the course.

A faculty at the university specialising in Mandarin wishing anonymity said, “it is early to comment whether Chinese language courses will exist or not at the higher education level in India. The policy as of now has dropped it at the secondary level. Nevertheless, it is a matter of concern for both students and teaching faculty.”

When contacted, university PRO, Vijay Dubey said, “The policy has just come and it is too early to comment at this stage. We will put the issue before the academic council and executive council if required.”

This University is meant to address the global issues and shall generally cover educationalists, academicians, philosophers, researchers, practitioners from all over the world, but primarily focuses on Asian countries - the land of genesis and spread of Buddhist-Indic culture. All aspects of Buddhist-Indic Studies from philosophy to culture, from economics to governance are addressed in totality.