SPPU to continue with examination process for now
The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has decided to go ahead with the process of conducting exams for final-semester students based on the May 8 notification issued by the state government and the guidelines of the University Grants Commission.
Savitribai Phule Pune University (File photo)PUNE/MUMBAI: The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has decided to go ahead with the process of conducting exams for final-semester students based on the May 8 notification issued by the state government and the guidelines of the University Grants Commission.
The chief minister had earlier announced that there would be no exams. Even final-semester students would be promoted, he said.
A management council meeting of the university held on Monday decided to continue with the exam preparation until a formal communication was received from the state government.
A timetable has been drawn up and the manner of conducting exams redesigned, with focus on holding shorter-duration exams.
SPPU pro-vice-chancellor N S Umrani told TOI, "We are going ahead with the process of conducting examination, which involves collecting data from colleges and communicating with them as per the normal process. However, if the state government issues any formal order to pass even final-semester students without holding exams, then we will again rethink on this decision."
A state government order issued on May 8 said that only final-semester students would have to appear for the exams, while all others would be promoted on the basis of their average marks. This sparked a massive outrage among final-semester students, who dubbed it "unfair".
Maharashtra governor Bhagatsing Koshiyari also wrote to the state government that college exams should be held.
The council stated during a discussion on Monday that as per the provisions of the Maharashtra University Act, the board of examinations has to prepare the schedule of the exams and the academic council is supposed to assess it and approve it. The same has to be presented before the management council following which the members will approve the time-table and the new procedure of conducting exams.
"We have not heard from the government yet. There is no directive that exams should not be held," said Rajesh Pande, chancellor’s nominee to the management council.
"However, if we do hear from the state government and receive directive, we will once again take it through our decision-making bodies like the board of examinations, academic council and the management council. They will take a final decision," added Pande.
Management council member, Sanjay Chakne, also confirmed that the university had not stopped the process of conducting exams. "With no written letter from the state government on canellation of exams, the process cannot stop. Hence, it was decided at the council meeting to conduct the exams until government notification was issued."
Meanwhile, the Architecture Council of India has written to the state government to exempt its candidates from the decision as only those examined would receive a registration number and a licence to practice.
After the CM’s announcement, the governor sought to assert his right as a chancellor of universities in the state. Invoking the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, Koshyari said the chancellor had the final say on matters related to universities. He said the decision to conduct exams for final-year students "shall be taken in consonance with the provisions of the Act".
Describing chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s announcement to cancel examinations as "unprecedented" and made "without any profound thinking on the legal repercussions", the governor said the decision, if implemented, would jeopardise the future of students.
Fee hike stayed
The management council approved the proposal forwarded by the academic council to stay the fee hike for the current academic year. The decision would benefit thousands of students in colleges affiliated to the university in Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik. The fee hike was proposed after ten years, however, the decision was stayed due to the current lockdown situation, Umrani said.
The chief minister had earlier announced that there would be no exams. Even final-semester students would be promoted, he said.
A management council meeting of the university held on Monday decided to continue with the exam preparation until a formal communication was received from the state government.
A timetable has been drawn up and the manner of conducting exams redesigned, with focus on holding shorter-duration exams.
SPPU pro-vice-chancellor N S Umrani told TOI, "We are going ahead with the process of conducting examination, which involves collecting data from colleges and communicating with them as per the normal process. However, if the state government issues any formal order to pass even final-semester students without holding exams, then we will again rethink on this decision."
A state government order issued on May 8 said that only final-semester students would have to appear for the exams, while all others would be promoted on the basis of their average marks. This sparked a massive outrage among final-semester students, who dubbed it "unfair".
Maharashtra governor Bhagatsing Koshiyari also wrote to the state government that college exams should be held.
The council stated during a discussion on Monday that as per the provisions of the Maharashtra University Act, the board of examinations has to prepare the schedule of the exams and the academic council is supposed to assess it and approve it. The same has to be presented before the management council following which the members will approve the time-table and the new procedure of conducting exams.
"We have not heard from the government yet. There is no directive that exams should not be held," said Rajesh Pande, chancellor’s nominee to the management council.
"However, if we do hear from the state government and receive directive, we will once again take it through our decision-making bodies like the board of examinations, academic council and the management council. They will take a final decision," added Pande.
Management council member, Sanjay Chakne, also confirmed that the university had not stopped the process of conducting exams. "With no written letter from the state government on canellation of exams, the process cannot stop. Hence, it was decided at the council meeting to conduct the exams until government notification was issued."
Meanwhile, the Architecture Council of India has written to the state government to exempt its candidates from the decision as only those examined would receive a registration number and a licence to practice.
After the CM’s announcement, the governor sought to assert his right as a chancellor of universities in the state. Invoking the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, Koshyari said the chancellor had the final say on matters related to universities. He said the decision to conduct exams for final-year students "shall be taken in consonance with the provisions of the Act".
Describing chief minister Uddhav Thackeray’s announcement to cancel examinations as "unprecedented" and made "without any profound thinking on the legal repercussions", the governor said the decision, if implemented, would jeopardise the future of students.
Fee hike stayed
The management council approved the proposal forwarded by the academic council to stay the fee hike for the current academic year. The decision would benefit thousands of students in colleges affiliated to the university in Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik. The fee hike was proposed after ten years, however, the decision was stayed due to the current lockdown situation, Umrani said.
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE