Diploma SFIs take up cudgels against GTU

The gulf between self-financed colleges offering diploma in technological courses and Gujarat Technological University just got wider. As many as 67 self-financed colleges held a meeting at a city-based college, where they decided to stop co-operating with GTU if the varsity doesn't pay heed to their demands. The colleges have set December 20 as the deadline for the university to address their concerns, failing which they will stop taking instructions from the varsity.

The meeting was held after GTU-affiliated SFIs that offered diploma courses realised that the varsity authorities are only promising to address their concerns but not acting on it. Some of the demands by diploma SFIs include scrapping of semester system, recall change in the detention policy for diploma students apart from having diploma college representatives in the Board of Governors as they have around 1.5 lakh students.

"GTU cannot act as per their wish. College management and authorities who participated in the meeting believe they are being discriminated against. Is it justified that detention rules for diploma students and master degree students are the same? GTU has changed the norms that students must not have backlog in four subjects in two previous semesters when they reach final year or they will not be allowed to appear for exam. Diploma students are from rural and economically weak sections. Stringent norms will discourage them from studying further. Diploma colleges will face the consequences for the same by losing students," said Jitendra Upadhyay, secretary of the association of Gujarat diploma colleges.

Upadhyay said members were of the opinion that if GTU doesn't co-operate with colleges, diploma SFIs which number around 70 colleges should stop working for GTU or follow their instructions.

"We also want GTU and state governments to consider shifting us to Technical Education Board (TEB) as delay in results also affects us. Semester system is not working for diploma colleges as admission season continues till September and students have to appear in exam within a month of admission. If annual system is implemented, it will benefit students. This has also not been addressed," he said.

After the college management threatened to non-cooperate, GTU issued a circular on Saturday asking principals and director to ensure that examination-related duties assigned by varsities are mandatory and part of duty.

SD Panchal, in-charge registrar of GTU said that their demands are under consideration. "Their demand to scrap semester system cannot be addressed only by us. We have to consult state government and AICTE as well," Panchal said.