Kerala Technological University syndicate to discuss BTech exams on Thursday
Representative imageThiruvananthapuram: Even as majority of universities across the country have voiced their opinions regarding the controversial UGC guidelines on the conduct of final semester/year examination for higher education courses, Kerala Technological University (KTU) remains undecided on the mode of evaluation it should opt for academic assessment of final semester engineering students. University syndicate is scheduled to meet on July 23 to take a final call on the critical issue on which the varsity academic council failed to reach a consensus early last week and hence tossed it to the apex body.
The university, braving criticisms and advisories, was about to conduct the final semester examinations from July 1 onwards and for that it had made elaborate arrangements so that students could appear for examinations in colleges close to their homes. The university’s commitment to the students was cited as the major reason to go ahead with the final semester examination. However, the burgeoning Covid positive cases forced the university to roll back its plans. It failed to fathom the gravity of the pandemic stalking the state as it failed to evolve a realistic approach towards final semester examination. The academic council had reached a consensus on doing away with the lower semester examinations by generating their credits based on semester point grade average (SPGA) earned in other semesters. However, it could not reach a collective decision on final semester.
A section of academicians points out that final semester engineering students have already cleared 170 of the total 182 credits and hence the varsity need not unnecessarily worry about the quality of the course. “Unprecedented situations require unprecedented decisions. Only about 6% of syllabus are apportioned to the final semester. In terms of academic quality of students, this semester plays no pivotal role,” they say. But the fallout of the UGC advisory and the fear for suspected discrimination against the best talents of KTU when they seek admission to premier institutions for higher studies continue to muddle the issue.
If the syndicate meeting on July 23 decides to stick to the paper-pen examination for final semester students, they will have to wait till September for it. Barring KTU, most other major universities in the country have already completed final semester examinations and published results.
The university, braving criticisms and advisories, was about to conduct the final semester examinations from July 1 onwards and for that it had made elaborate arrangements so that students could appear for examinations in colleges close to their homes. The university’s commitment to the students was cited as the major reason to go ahead with the final semester examination. However, the burgeoning Covid positive cases forced the university to roll back its plans. It failed to fathom the gravity of the pandemic stalking the state as it failed to evolve a realistic approach towards final semester examination. The academic council had reached a consensus on doing away with the lower semester examinations by generating their credits based on semester point grade average (SPGA) earned in other semesters. However, it could not reach a collective decision on final semester.
Academics and administrators are equally divided over the authority of UGC to pass diktats on the conduct of examinations and the academic assiduousness in replacing the traditional mode of examination. “Our priority is the future of final year students. Major decisions on examination could be taken after discussing it in all relevant forums,” said M S Rajasree, KTU vice-chancellor .
A section of academicians points out that final semester engineering students have already cleared 170 of the total 182 credits and hence the varsity need not unnecessarily worry about the quality of the course. “Unprecedented situations require unprecedented decisions. Only about 6% of syllabus are apportioned to the final semester. In terms of academic quality of students, this semester plays no pivotal role,” they say. But the fallout of the UGC advisory and the fear for suspected discrimination against the best talents of KTU when they seek admission to premier institutions for higher studies continue to muddle the issue.
If the syndicate meeting on July 23 decides to stick to the paper-pen examination for final semester students, they will have to wait till September for it. Barring KTU, most other major universities in the country have already completed final semester examinations and published results.
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