They can now pursue a course in the university’s institute of distance education while doing one in the college to secure dual degree.

Universities abroad allow students to pursue two courses simultaneously to get dual degrees and this has prompted Madras University to introduce the system from this academic year, University of Madras vice-chancellor Prof. G. Thiruvasagam told DC on Wednesday.

To enrol for a course in the institute of distance education, students need to submit a photocopy of their Class XII transfer certificate to the university.

On the impasse in appointing qualified faculty in more than 100 affiliated institutions, Thiruvasagam said that the university would not relax the qualification required for a candidate to be appointed as lecturer, adding that those who are already working without the required qualification must ensure that they get the required qualification.

Get details on Distance Education Council

“Faculty already working must get qualification approval immediately. No college should allow a teacher to work without obt-aining qualification from the university,” he said.

“For disciplines such as computer science, mass media, journalism, management, and electronic science, colleges that can substantiate that they had taken all possible steps to appoint qualified faculty yet failed to do so can appoint guest lecturers with minimum required qualification. However, these lecturers should also be asked to qualify as per UGC norms within a year,” he said.