In a women-friendly decision, the Calicut University has decided to extend maternity leave to students of Master of Computer Application (MCA) programme to ensure that their academic ranking is not marred if any one of them takes a break for childbirth. According to university officials, the decision was taken by the senate earlier this month and is likely to be extended to other professional courses like MBBS and BDS soon. Earlier, an expectant student missing the first chance to appear for the exam had to appear for the second chance and in her academic records it was shown she had passed it in the supplementary examination.
This was often seen as a poor reflection of her academic brilliance. Under the new rule, even if a woman takes supplementary examination after missing the first chance due to maternity reasons, her academic records will not mark it as supplementary.
"There are plenty of instances that job aspirants are rated poor if they are seen as having passed the examination in the second chance or supplementary route, however genuine their reason for missing the first chance. This decision will help them overcome that difficulty," a senior university official said. Campus unions also hailed the decision and want it to be extended to other academic programmes in due course.



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