THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Last year, the Kerala Technological University (KTU) had relaxed norms of year-out system following protests from students. As per new norms, the credit system was relaxed from three to two levels. The minimum credits will be insisted only in semester 5 and 7 unlike earlier period, when it was insisted in semester 4, 6 and 8. Students with 26 credits in semester 1 and 2 can join semester 5. For that, they need to pass at least six papers.
To join semester 7, students should have a minimum of 52 credits, which can be achieved by clearing 12 papers. Initially, a student needed a minimum of 35 credits out of 47 to enter third semester. The minimum credit for third-semester entry was lowered to 26 following protests.
For admission to the sixth semester, minimum 71 credits out of 94, is required. Examinations under the new norms were completed and the results would be declared by July end. The All Kerala KTU students’ union welcomed the move. “We have been demanding for long to repeal this system, but nothing turned out positive. Hope the AICTE will implement it,” said a student leader.
Meanwhile, KTU Vice-Chancellor in-charge, J Letha said the varsity has the freedom to decide whether the system should be withdrawn or not. “Even if the AICTE comes up with such a proposal, the university has the power to take a final call. In fact, the proposal could compromise the quality of education. So, we are not planning to withdraw the year-out system here,” she said.
