While the university had set the syllabus, colleges are now getting together to formulate a common method for administering the course, among other things.

Principal of L S Raheja College of Arts and Commerce, Santacruz (W), Dr R A Heredia, whose idea it was originally to start such a course, has taken the initiative again. The college is organising a one-day workshop in August-end for faculty members of all the 34 colleges which have been allowed to start the course. The workshop will focus on the contents of the syllabus, the teaching methods to be adopted, study material and evaluation pattern as well as the administration of the course.

According to Dr Heredia, several colleges have already expressed their interest in taking partin the workshop. ``This is necessary so that the course will get a similar coverage in all the colleges,'' he said. Discussions will also be held on the faculty requirements, especially as experts in the management field will have to be invited for lectures.

Though the modalities have been worked out by the university, colleges are getting together mainly because it is one of the first courses -- other than the regular degree ones -- to be introduced at the undergraduate level.

Apart from the workshop, colleges run by the Hyderabad Sind National Collegiate Board have also got together to coordinate the running of the BMS course. The colleges, HR, Jai Hind, MMK and Chandibai held a meeting on July 28 for the purpose, according to Indu Shahani, vice-principal of HR College.

Stressing the need for quality and methodology in the teaching of the BMS course and upgradation of its syllabus, the principals decided that students should be given training in presentation and communication skills and use ofcomputers, among other things. Another meeting is scheduled in the third week of August to discuss the issue. Most principals consider the BMS course to be better than the regular Commerce one. ``It has more of a management orientation, with an inter-disciplinary approach,'' said Shahani. Concurs Dr Heredia: ``It is a pot-pourri of various subjects, while Commerce is at a more elementary level.''

No wonder then that despite a lukewarm response from students, colleges are doing everything to ensure that the situation is improved next year. Dr Heredia said, ``We will get the feedback from faculty and students, and then decide.''