'Marksheet must for foreign study, jobs'
GTU justifies holding final year exams...
Representational Image. (This story originally appeared in 
on Jun 23 , 2020)
on Jun 23 , 2020)Even as students protest exams during pandemic, varsity says exams must as those who need to go abroad for higher education or have bagged job offers will need marksheets; says students can choose between online and offline exams.
Final year students of Gujarat Technological University are disappointed with the vice chancellor's decision to conduct online and offline exams from July. At a time when majority of the universities in Gujarat have postponed their exams to check the spread of coronavirus, GTU has remained firm on holding exams.
On Monday, the students decided to meet the VC to make their displeasure loud and clear. The otherwise silent chamber of GTU's VC Navin Seth reverberated with strains of 'Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, VC ko sadbuddhi de bhagwan' as the students opposed the varsity's decision.
GTU officials justified the varsity's decision, saying students have been given the option of taking exams either online or offline. If the exams are not conducted on time, there are other issues that will crop up, they said.
There are 80,000 final year students enrolled in degree engineering, pharmacy, MBA, MCA and architecture apart from post-graduation students from across Gujarat.
VC Navin Sheth told Mirror that while there has been representation from students and parents seeking to postpone exams, the varsity chose to go ahead with the exams keeping in mind three important issues.
"First and foremost, Gujarat government and the UGC asked us to conduct exams for final year students. Secondly, students who want to pursue higher education in foreign universities will be at a disadvantage if exams are not held on time. Besides, students who have already bagged jobs will have to present their marksheets to begin their training and work. These are the reasons we chose to conduct the exams for final year students."
While GTU has made provision to have both online and offline examinations for final year students, National Students Union of India (NSUI) has been demanding the exam be postponed till August. "We have demanded that exams should not be conducted till August. Gujarat University, MS University of Baroda, Sardar Patel University and Saurashtra University have postponed the exam. Why is GTU not bothered about students' health? Why is it being stubborn? Who will take responsibility if students contract Covid-19?" said Narayan Bharwad, NSUI leader.
Registrar KN Kher said they have called an academic council meeting to discuss the matter. "We will discuss the pros and cons of postponing exams with members of the academic council in a day or two before we make any change in the exam dates," he said.
Final year students of Gujarat Technological University are disappointed with the vice chancellor's decision to conduct online and offline exams from July. At a time when majority of the universities in Gujarat have postponed their exams to check the spread of coronavirus, GTU has remained firm on holding exams.
On Monday, the students decided to meet the VC to make their displeasure loud and clear. The otherwise silent chamber of GTU's VC Navin Seth reverberated with strains of 'Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, VC ko sadbuddhi de bhagwan' as the students opposed the varsity's decision.
GTU officials justified the varsity's decision, saying students have been given the option of taking exams either online or offline. If the exams are not conducted on time, there are other issues that will crop up, they said.
There are 80,000 final year students enrolled in degree engineering, pharmacy, MBA, MCA and architecture apart from post-graduation students from across Gujarat.
VC Navin Sheth told Mirror that while there has been representation from students and parents seeking to postpone exams, the varsity chose to go ahead with the exams keeping in mind three important issues.
"First and foremost, Gujarat government and the UGC asked us to conduct exams for final year students. Secondly, students who want to pursue higher education in foreign universities will be at a disadvantage if exams are not held on time. Besides, students who have already bagged jobs will have to present their marksheets to begin their training and work. These are the reasons we chose to conduct the exams for final year students."
While GTU has made provision to have both online and offline examinations for final year students, National Students Union of India (NSUI) has been demanding the exam be postponed till August. "We have demanded that exams should not be conducted till August. Gujarat University, MS University of Baroda, Sardar Patel University and Saurashtra University have postponed the exam. Why is GTU not bothered about students' health? Why is it being stubborn? Who will take responsibility if students contract Covid-19?" said Narayan Bharwad, NSUI leader.
Registrar KN Kher said they have called an academic council meeting to discuss the matter. "We will discuss the pros and cons of postponing exams with members of the academic council in a day or two before we make any change in the exam dates," he 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