New Delhi: Decks have been cleared for the introduction of semester system in undergraduate courses of the Delhi University, with its apex decision making body  approving the long-standing proposal despite protests by a group of teachers.

'The Academic Council in its meeting  passed the proposal of the semester system with overwhelming majority,' DU Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental said.

The proposal, which envisages introduction of semester system from the next session (2010-11), was passed amid much commotion and protests. It had run into controversy after a number of AC members affiliated to DU Teachers' Association (DUTA) opposed it contending that the move was infeasible.

The protesting teachers alleged that the Vice Chancellor 'undemocratically' pushed the proposal without even having a detailed discussion in the apex decision making body.

'As the proposal is not feasible and several colleges have rejected it, we had asked the VC not to put it in today's agenda but he proceeded and got it passed undemocratically,' J Khuntia, a member of the 174-member Academic Council said.

The DUTA had been demanding a thorough discussion in the staff councils of all 80 colleges on the introduction of semester system before the matter was brought to the Council.