Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, December 31, 2007
Budding managers across the country are vying with each other to prepare a business model for the state to help it attract more investment and upgrade its economy.
Students of IIMC, IIM Ahmedabad; XLRI Jamshedpur and Faculty of Management Studies New Delhi are preparing the Blueprint, as it is being called, as part of Intaglio 2007, the business management fest of IIMC. Over 3,000 management students from universities across the world including Harvard, Yale, Wharton and MIT will take part in the three-day fest, which will begin from January 5. The fest will end with a lecture by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, followed by an interaction with students. The online version of the event has already begun.
“We are calling the business model Blueprint and we will present it to chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee so that he can put it into use,” said Pritvijit Lahiri, a second-year student of IIMC and co-ordinator of Intaglio 2007.
As of now, six teams of three members each are working on their business models. “Venture capitalists and big business bosses will judge the six models in the presence of representatives from the industry. The best model will get an award of Rs 1 lakh and the business model will be handed over to the chief minister on January 7,” said Saugata Ray, professor of strategy and international Business at IIMC and faculty coordinator of the event.
“We are trying to see how we can contribute to the growth of a state whose chief minister is willing to bring in as much investment as possible. This is an initiative made by management students from across the country shortlisted from 50 teams,” Lahiri said.
The students are being helped in their job by Feedback Ventures, an infrastructure consultancy firm. Thrust is being laid on ideas to attract foreign investment and national and multinational companies to Bengal by creating special economic zones in IT, agro-based food processing industry, apparel industry, automobile industry, pharmaceutical industry and the gem and jewellery sector. “The students are trying to create a business model keeping in mind the export potential, risk factor, infrastructure and benefits to surrounding areas as well as other industries,” Ray said.
“The problem over land acquisition in Singur is definitely a point that the students are keeping in mind while framing their plans,” said professor Anindo Sen, academic affairs of IIMC. The six teams, he said, are very excited about the models they are preparing. They are also looking forward to interacting with the chief minister about the investment scenario in Bengal.
Apart from the Rs 1 lakh award for Blueprint, Intaglio 2007 will see prizes worth Rs 12 lakh given away to the winners of five online events, six semi-online events and nine campus events. “Our fest got the ISO 9001 certificate last year. And this time we will take it a step ahead by making a concrete contribution towards the business development of the state,” Lahiri said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Flying robots hijack IIT Kharagpur
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 30, 2007
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a flying robot! If you have never seen such a machine before, you may soon notice one whiz above you. Students of IIT Kharagpur and those of other well-known engineering colleges will now learn the art (or, should we say, science) of making radio-controlled birds.
The biggest attraction of Kshitij’07, the annual 4-day techno-management fest of IIT-Kharagpur that is starting from February 1, is a workshop on ornithopters — flapping-wing flying robots, the latest in man’s unending fascination with artificial flight, and one of the hottest topics in aerodynamic research.
“The concept of ornithopters is very new in India. People here do not yet have much knowledge about the technology. If we can learn it, we will be able to do more advanced-level research,” said Sourav Khurana, an IIT-Kgp student. “Robotics forms a vital part of the fest and draws a enormous participation. But this is the first time that students will be learning to make a flying robot.”
The idea of constructing wings in imitation of birds goes back to 1490, when Leonardo da Vinci began studying birds to imitate their flight. He is even credited with having devised a small flying machine, something which experts say was a precursor to the modern helicopter.
Since ornithopters resemble flying birds, they are currently used extensively for studying the behaviour of migratory birds. They could even have a crucial role to play in gathering military intelligence — even spying in enemy territory. And since ornithopters operate by flapping wings, they offer potential advantages in manoeuvrability and energy conservation, as compared with fixed-wing aircraft.
“This radio-controlled machine can be very complicated and can have mulitiple applications loaded on it. It can record audio and could also carry an in-built camera,” said Khurana. “Some of us want to learn it to simply taste the fun of flying the robot or persuing it as a hobby. But there are other students who have serious goals with it.”
US expert Nathan Chronister will be conducting the workshop in three sages. There will be a flying demonstration of ornithopters in the open, followed by a presentation on the technical design aspects of ornithopters, at the end of which there will be a test, on the basis of which 50 participants will be selected to attend the workshop. In the third stage, a hands-on workshop will be held, where selected participants will be given kits to make rubber band-powered ornithopters.
With a budget of Rs 65 lakh, Kshitij’07 would see participation from 12,500 registered engineering students from all over the country. This year, Kshitij will also play host to around 35 technical and managerial events followed by several managerial events. Workshops will also be held on cyber law, Six Sigma and the Right to Information Act by Ramon Magsaysay winner Arvind Kejriwal.
Guest lectures will be delivered by luminaries such as Rakesh Sharma, Alyque Padamsee, Dr. K Kasturirangan, Nobel Laureates Dr Harold Kroto and Dr Lee Hartwell, living cyborg Prof Kevin Warwick and explorer Eric Larsen.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 30, 2007
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a flying robot! If you have never seen such a machine before, you may soon notice one whiz above you. Students of IIT Kharagpur and those of other well-known engineering colleges will now learn the art (or, should we say, science) of making radio-controlled birds.
The biggest attraction of Kshitij’07, the annual 4-day techno-management fest of IIT-Kharagpur that is starting from February 1, is a workshop on ornithopters — flapping-wing flying robots, the latest in man’s unending fascination with artificial flight, and one of the hottest topics in aerodynamic research.
“The concept of ornithopters is very new in India. People here do not yet have much knowledge about the technology. If we can learn it, we will be able to do more advanced-level research,” said Sourav Khurana, an IIT-Kgp student. “Robotics forms a vital part of the fest and draws a enormous participation. But this is the first time that students will be learning to make a flying robot.”
The idea of constructing wings in imitation of birds goes back to 1490, when Leonardo da Vinci began studying birds to imitate their flight. He is even credited with having devised a small flying machine, something which experts say was a precursor to the modern helicopter.
Since ornithopters resemble flying birds, they are currently used extensively for studying the behaviour of migratory birds. They could even have a crucial role to play in gathering military intelligence — even spying in enemy territory. And since ornithopters operate by flapping wings, they offer potential advantages in manoeuvrability and energy conservation, as compared with fixed-wing aircraft.
“This radio-controlled machine can be very complicated and can have mulitiple applications loaded on it. It can record audio and could also carry an in-built camera,” said Khurana. “Some of us want to learn it to simply taste the fun of flying the robot or persuing it as a hobby. But there are other students who have serious goals with it.”
US expert Nathan Chronister will be conducting the workshop in three sages. There will be a flying demonstration of ornithopters in the open, followed by a presentation on the technical design aspects of ornithopters, at the end of which there will be a test, on the basis of which 50 participants will be selected to attend the workshop. In the third stage, a hands-on workshop will be held, where selected participants will be given kits to make rubber band-powered ornithopters.
With a budget of Rs 65 lakh, Kshitij’07 would see participation from 12,500 registered engineering students from all over the country. This year, Kshitij will also play host to around 35 technical and managerial events followed by several managerial events. Workshops will also be held on cyber law, Six Sigma and the Right to Information Act by Ramon Magsaysay winner Arvind Kejriwal.
Guest lectures will be delivered by luminaries such as Rakesh Sharma, Alyque Padamsee, Dr. K Kasturirangan, Nobel Laureates Dr Harold Kroto and Dr Lee Hartwell, living cyborg Prof Kevin Warwick and explorer Eric Larsen.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, January 29, 2007
CU poser for self-financing courses
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 29, 2007
In order to assess the standard of self-finance courses under it, Calcutta University (CU) on Monday has begun to send questioners to colleges. This will be followed by a surprise visit by an expert panel, set up by the university.
The expert committee will file its report by the end of February. The CU will send the report to the higher education ministry, requesting the government to decide on the tuition fee to be charged by the colleges for such courses.
The university had been receiving complaints from the students regarding various aspects of self-finance courses for months. Hindustan Times earlier reported this in December 2006.
The students under self finance-course pay a huge tuition fee compared to students under general course. Even after this, the students have been complaining that their institutions do not provide them with basic infrastructure. The chief grouse from the students is the disparity of course fee among colleges teaching the self-finance scheme. The students also complained about lack of teachers and allege that part time teachers who lack commitment complete courses.
The questioner sent by the university will ask questions like – How does one apply for a self-finance course, how many teachers have been appointed and what are the recruitment rules. Also on the questioner will be how many students apply for the course, the number of full time and part time teachers, tuition fee paid by students, standard of laboratory equipment, condition of the library and the admission process followed by the colleges. The SFI too had formally asked the university to look into the malpractices by the colleges, which offers self-finance courses.
Teachers Training Institute demand
The students of Primary Teachers Training Institute (PTTI) held a convention on Monday, urging school education minister Partha De to negotiate with the National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE) to give affiliation to their institution.
About 75000 students are unable to sit for the PTTI exam because their institution has been derecognised by the High Court. The state is currently locked in a legal battle with NCTE in this regard. The students will be meeting De on February 1 and will also gherao the primary education board.mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 29, 2007
In order to assess the standard of self-finance courses under it, Calcutta University (CU) on Monday has begun to send questioners to colleges. This will be followed by a surprise visit by an expert panel, set up by the university.
The expert committee will file its report by the end of February. The CU will send the report to the higher education ministry, requesting the government to decide on the tuition fee to be charged by the colleges for such courses.
The university had been receiving complaints from the students regarding various aspects of self-finance courses for months. Hindustan Times earlier reported this in December 2006.
The students under self finance-course pay a huge tuition fee compared to students under general course. Even after this, the students have been complaining that their institutions do not provide them with basic infrastructure. The chief grouse from the students is the disparity of course fee among colleges teaching the self-finance scheme. The students also complained about lack of teachers and allege that part time teachers who lack commitment complete courses.
The questioner sent by the university will ask questions like – How does one apply for a self-finance course, how many teachers have been appointed and what are the recruitment rules. Also on the questioner will be how many students apply for the course, the number of full time and part time teachers, tuition fee paid by students, standard of laboratory equipment, condition of the library and the admission process followed by the colleges. The SFI too had formally asked the university to look into the malpractices by the colleges, which offers self-finance courses.
Teachers Training Institute demand
The students of Primary Teachers Training Institute (PTTI) held a convention on Monday, urging school education minister Partha De to negotiate with the National Council of Teachers Education (NCTE) to give affiliation to their institution.
About 75000 students are unable to sit for the PTTI exam because their institution has been derecognised by the High Court. The state is currently locked in a legal battle with NCTE in this regard. The students will be meeting De on February 1 and will also gherao the primary education board.mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Presidency autonomy issue to be decided soon
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 28, 2007
The knot surrounding autonomy to Presidency College will be solved in March this year.
Speaking in the annual conference of West Bengal Government College Teachers’ Association (WBGCTA), higher education minister Sudarshan Roychoudhuri made it clear that the state does not want to take any decision in this regard. “We have framed a committee that is taking in opinions from all quarters on the issue of Presidency College’s autonomy. Their final meeting will take place in March, following which we will receive their recommendation. We will implement whatever they suggest,” he said.
Though a section wants Presidency to get autonomy, WBGCTA wants to convert the college into a university, with all government colleges coming under it. The committee is currently deliberating on the issue. On January 27, however, during a visit to the college, former school education minister Kanti Biswas had opposed the concept. “Many teachers here are very talented. They can be easily utilised to frame the syllabus and upgrade it. But if this college becomes a university, their scope will become limited. On the contrary, if the college is given academic and administrative autonomy, it would be able to nurture its talented pool of students and teachers in a better way,” he had said.
The alumni association of the college, however, feels that the college would be able to further improve its academic quality if it were given the status of a deemed university.
The higher education minister also expressed his dissatisfaction at the growing trend of teachers giving private tuition. “I have come to know from various quarters that teachers are giving too much time outside class. It should not happen,” he said.mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 28, 2007
The knot surrounding autonomy to Presidency College will be solved in March this year.
Speaking in the annual conference of West Bengal Government College Teachers’ Association (WBGCTA), higher education minister Sudarshan Roychoudhuri made it clear that the state does not want to take any decision in this regard. “We have framed a committee that is taking in opinions from all quarters on the issue of Presidency College’s autonomy. Their final meeting will take place in March, following which we will receive their recommendation. We will implement whatever they suggest,” he said.
Though a section wants Presidency to get autonomy, WBGCTA wants to convert the college into a university, with all government colleges coming under it. The committee is currently deliberating on the issue. On January 27, however, during a visit to the college, former school education minister Kanti Biswas had opposed the concept. “Many teachers here are very talented. They can be easily utilised to frame the syllabus and upgrade it. But if this college becomes a university, their scope will become limited. On the contrary, if the college is given academic and administrative autonomy, it would be able to nurture its talented pool of students and teachers in a better way,” he had said.
The alumni association of the college, however, feels that the college would be able to further improve its academic quality if it were given the status of a deemed university.
The higher education minister also expressed his dissatisfaction at the growing trend of teachers giving private tuition. “I have come to know from various quarters that teachers are giving too much time outside class. It should not happen,” he said.mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Saturday, January 27, 2007
IIMC to introduce OBC quota in fresh admission list
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 27, 2007
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Joka, will publish a fresh list of candidates by the end of this month to accommodate 3 per cent OBC students. The general seats will also be increased proportionately.
IIM had sent a plan to the ministry stating that it would introduce the 27 per cent reservation policy three years — 3 per cent in the first year, followed by 15 per cent and 9 per cent in the next two. “Surprisingly, we have not heard anything from the ministry, so we are going ahead with our plan and implementing 3 per cent OBC seats this year. We are also increasing the general category equally, which means that 6 per cent more students will get into IIM this year,” said professor Anindya Sen, dean of programme and research initiative at IIM, Joka.
The CAT results were declared on January 2 and IIM had called all 988 students for group discussion and personal interview. Of them, 773 students were from the general category, 134 from the SC category, 60 from ST category and 21 from physically challenged category. Now, the institute will call around 50 OBC students. “We have already got the necessary clearance and of the 318 students who make it to IIM, Joka, this year, 9 to 10 will be from the OBC category. We will publish the list in our website by January 31. But if we do not find suitable candidates we may not fill up all the OBC seats,” said professor Ashish Bhattacharya, chairman, admissions of IIM, Joka, a member of CAT Group.
But the authorities and many in the faculty feel that the funds allotted by the human resources development ministry would not be enough to maintain the academic standard and infrastructure for the additional students.
The institute had asked for a Rs 139-crore non-recurring grant, Rs 7.29 crore as recurring grant besides Rs 100 crore for buying 50 acres to develop the infrastructure. But the Veerappa Moily Committee has allotted only Rs 47.5 crore for this purpose. “In the final recommendation of the Moily Committee, the money allotted for implementing the OBC quota has been drastically cut down without any explanation,” an IIM official said.
The faculty members are also worried about the funds crunch. “We will soon face serious problems. We must realise that we are dealing with the premier management institution of the country and its academic quality cannot be maintained by just increasing some classrooms and hostel accommodation. The money allotted to us will definitely not help us upgrade our infrastructure,” Sen said.
In its two-year post-graduate diploma in management programme, there is a deficit of Rs 1 lakh per student, which cannot be covered with tuition fee. And with 600 students on campus, the deficit has gone up to Rs 6 crore. “We will some manage this year but from next year it will be a big problem if the infrastructure is not suitably upgraded,” Sen said.
The institute is also not being allowed to maintain its teacher-student ratio. IIM wanted a ratio of 1:7 but the ministry suggested 1:14.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 27, 2007
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Joka, will publish a fresh list of candidates by the end of this month to accommodate 3 per cent OBC students. The general seats will also be increased proportionately.
IIM had sent a plan to the ministry stating that it would introduce the 27 per cent reservation policy three years — 3 per cent in the first year, followed by 15 per cent and 9 per cent in the next two. “Surprisingly, we have not heard anything from the ministry, so we are going ahead with our plan and implementing 3 per cent OBC seats this year. We are also increasing the general category equally, which means that 6 per cent more students will get into IIM this year,” said professor Anindya Sen, dean of programme and research initiative at IIM, Joka.
The CAT results were declared on January 2 and IIM had called all 988 students for group discussion and personal interview. Of them, 773 students were from the general category, 134 from the SC category, 60 from ST category and 21 from physically challenged category. Now, the institute will call around 50 OBC students. “We have already got the necessary clearance and of the 318 students who make it to IIM, Joka, this year, 9 to 10 will be from the OBC category. We will publish the list in our website by January 31. But if we do not find suitable candidates we may not fill up all the OBC seats,” said professor Ashish Bhattacharya, chairman, admissions of IIM, Joka, a member of CAT Group.
But the authorities and many in the faculty feel that the funds allotted by the human resources development ministry would not be enough to maintain the academic standard and infrastructure for the additional students.
The institute had asked for a Rs 139-crore non-recurring grant, Rs 7.29 crore as recurring grant besides Rs 100 crore for buying 50 acres to develop the infrastructure. But the Veerappa Moily Committee has allotted only Rs 47.5 crore for this purpose. “In the final recommendation of the Moily Committee, the money allotted for implementing the OBC quota has been drastically cut down without any explanation,” an IIM official said.
The faculty members are also worried about the funds crunch. “We will soon face serious problems. We must realise that we are dealing with the premier management institution of the country and its academic quality cannot be maintained by just increasing some classrooms and hostel accommodation. The money allotted to us will definitely not help us upgrade our infrastructure,” Sen said.
In its two-year post-graduate diploma in management programme, there is a deficit of Rs 1 lakh per student, which cannot be covered with tuition fee. And with 600 students on campus, the deficit has gone up to Rs 6 crore. “We will some manage this year but from next year it will be a big problem if the infrastructure is not suitably upgraded,” Sen said.
The institute is also not being allowed to maintain its teacher-student ratio. IIM wanted a ratio of 1:7 but the ministry suggested 1:14.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Learn Vaastu at an institute in Kolkata soon
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 25, 2007
If you are passionate about Vaastu and its effects, you can soon master it. Exterior Interior, a premier interior-designing institute, is all set to offer a course in applied Vaastu Shastra in Kolkata from February.
“Applied Vaastu Shastra is the biology of making a building or a structure,” said Partha Pratim Chakraborty, programme manager.
Vaastu has caught everybody’s imagination as everyone wants to stay in a house that is correct Vaastu-wise. They even want their furniture to be Vaastu-compatible.
“We being the oldest interior designing institute in this part of the country, various establishments had approached us asking for Vaastu consultants. That is what prompted us to start this course. Those who join this course can, thus, rest assured there will be no dearth of job offers when they pass out,” said Chakraborty. “Civil engineers and interior designers can upgrade their portfolios by doing this course,” he added.
The course will be taught from the scientific perspective. “We will teach students how various elements in nature can be used to upgrade the experience of our living space,” Chakraborty said.
The course will also cover Feng Sui. “Vaastu deals with all the five elements of nature and Feng Shui with just two. Hence the course will cover Feng Sui too,” he added.
During the course the students will be taken to construction sites where Vaastu is being applied to get a practical insight of the application. They will also visit places that are being done up the Vaastu way.
Industry experts framed the syllabus following extensive research. They even consulted the canons of Vaastu Shastra, as codified in texts such as Manasara Silpa Shastra by Manasara, Agni Purana and works by Kautilya and Sukracharya. “Vaastu is very scientific in nature and our syllabus has been packaged in a way that it meets the needs of modern life,” said Chakraborty.
The course will be offered in three slabs — basic, advance and advance certificate. Each slab will be for three months so the entire course will last nine months. “We are targeting everyone from housewives to civil engineers. The only criterion is they should have a knack of it. The course fee will be moderate,” said Chakraborty.
Admission will be preceded by an aptitude test, a psychometric analysis and interview.
Once the course is launched in Kolkata, Exterior Interior plans to offer the same at its 20 centres around the country and in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the US.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 25, 2007
If you are passionate about Vaastu and its effects, you can soon master it. Exterior Interior, a premier interior-designing institute, is all set to offer a course in applied Vaastu Shastra in Kolkata from February.
“Applied Vaastu Shastra is the biology of making a building or a structure,” said Partha Pratim Chakraborty, programme manager.
Vaastu has caught everybody’s imagination as everyone wants to stay in a house that is correct Vaastu-wise. They even want their furniture to be Vaastu-compatible.
“We being the oldest interior designing institute in this part of the country, various establishments had approached us asking for Vaastu consultants. That is what prompted us to start this course. Those who join this course can, thus, rest assured there will be no dearth of job offers when they pass out,” said Chakraborty. “Civil engineers and interior designers can upgrade their portfolios by doing this course,” he added.
The course will be taught from the scientific perspective. “We will teach students how various elements in nature can be used to upgrade the experience of our living space,” Chakraborty said.
The course will also cover Feng Sui. “Vaastu deals with all the five elements of nature and Feng Shui with just two. Hence the course will cover Feng Sui too,” he added.
During the course the students will be taken to construction sites where Vaastu is being applied to get a practical insight of the application. They will also visit places that are being done up the Vaastu way.
Industry experts framed the syllabus following extensive research. They even consulted the canons of Vaastu Shastra, as codified in texts such as Manasara Silpa Shastra by Manasara, Agni Purana and works by Kautilya and Sukracharya. “Vaastu is very scientific in nature and our syllabus has been packaged in a way that it meets the needs of modern life,” said Chakraborty.
The course will be offered in three slabs — basic, advance and advance certificate. Each slab will be for three months so the entire course will last nine months. “We are targeting everyone from housewives to civil engineers. The only criterion is they should have a knack of it. The course fee will be moderate,” said Chakraborty.
Admission will be preceded by an aptitude test, a psychometric analysis and interview.
Once the course is launched in Kolkata, Exterior Interior plans to offer the same at its 20 centres around the country and in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the US.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
JU zero tolerance for bandh lovers
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 24, 2007
Unhappy with the deluge of bandhs, Jadavpur University (JU) is planning a zero-tolerance for teachers and employees who will be absent on strike days. This follows a proposal by the registrar’s office to deduct the salary or a holiday from those who fail to turn. Frequent bandhs in the last two months were affecting the academic environment of the university and compelled the registrar’s office to float the proposal.
All along JU did not have any policy regarding bandhs. Neither the salary nor holidays of the teaching and non-teaching staff were deducted if they failed to turn up. “The university now wants a clear cut policy. The proposal has been floated and the teachers’ union, officers’ union and the employees’ union have been asked to give their opinion by February 28,” said professor Partha Pratim Biswas, an EC member.
However, there have been differences. While the registrar’s office proposed to deduct a day’s salary, teachers felt that deducting a holiday will be a better proposition. The university authorities feel that framing a bandh policy will not be undemocratic. “We have a right to express our opinion. One can support a bandh and choose not to turn up, but they will have to sacrifice their salary or their holiday. In fact through their sacrifice, the teachers will be on a stronger wicket. During the trade union bandh, bank and government employees too follow such a method,” said Biswas.
Issues like the stance of the 60 teaching and 250 non-teaching employees who reside on the campus should do on bandhs was also discussed.
The students too will not be spared— the university will decide on whether to mark a student absent or force him to go in for extra classes. The university will also frame a policy to deal with absenteeism during a students strike. The absence of students from pre-scheduled exams will be considered seriously if they fail to take the exam even when the transport situation is normal during a bandh. Calling a students’ strike during the examination may also cost them dear.
In another motion, the university proposed to stop organising any pujas within the campus. This proposal was moved because the academic environment of the university was being spoiled with frequent pujas organised by the families of the non-teaching staff staying on the campus.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 24, 2007
Unhappy with the deluge of bandhs, Jadavpur University (JU) is planning a zero-tolerance for teachers and employees who will be absent on strike days. This follows a proposal by the registrar’s office to deduct the salary or a holiday from those who fail to turn. Frequent bandhs in the last two months were affecting the academic environment of the university and compelled the registrar’s office to float the proposal.
All along JU did not have any policy regarding bandhs. Neither the salary nor holidays of the teaching and non-teaching staff were deducted if they failed to turn up. “The university now wants a clear cut policy. The proposal has been floated and the teachers’ union, officers’ union and the employees’ union have been asked to give their opinion by February 28,” said professor Partha Pratim Biswas, an EC member.
However, there have been differences. While the registrar’s office proposed to deduct a day’s salary, teachers felt that deducting a holiday will be a better proposition. The university authorities feel that framing a bandh policy will not be undemocratic. “We have a right to express our opinion. One can support a bandh and choose not to turn up, but they will have to sacrifice their salary or their holiday. In fact through their sacrifice, the teachers will be on a stronger wicket. During the trade union bandh, bank and government employees too follow such a method,” said Biswas.
Issues like the stance of the 60 teaching and 250 non-teaching employees who reside on the campus should do on bandhs was also discussed.
The students too will not be spared— the university will decide on whether to mark a student absent or force him to go in for extra classes. The university will also frame a policy to deal with absenteeism during a students strike. The absence of students from pre-scheduled exams will be considered seriously if they fail to take the exam even when the transport situation is normal during a bandh. Calling a students’ strike during the examination may also cost them dear.
In another motion, the university proposed to stop organising any pujas within the campus. This proposal was moved because the academic environment of the university was being spoiled with frequent pujas organised by the families of the non-teaching staff staying on the campus.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Bring back retired teachers, Gandhi tells CU
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 24, 2007
A concerned governor wants Calcutta University to bring back retired teachers so that students regain their trust in teachers. Gopal Krishna Gandhi, also the university’s chairman, said this at the closing ceremony of CU’s 150-year celebrations.
Before taking the dais at the function, Gandhi spoke to the teachers and students. While the teachers said the fluctuating temperament of students were impediments to giving them quality education, the students grumbled that their teachers were too busy to give them extra time.
Students’ trust for teachers was fast eroding, Gandhi said. “If this trust were not regained, the 150-year-old university would soon be unable to differentiate itself from the 150-year-old banyan tree at the botanical garden,” he said.
To regain this trust, Gandhi suggested that retired teachers be brought back to the classes. “They are the treasure house of experience and will be able to solve this problem,” he said, adding that the extra money required for this exercise could be taken from alumni contribution.
Fulltime teachers should not feel threatened, Gandhi added. “There is no need for general teachers to be worried, as the classes conducted by retired teachers would not be conventional. These would be special classes aimed at restoring the students’ lost trust,” he said.
UGC chairman Prof S. Thorat, however, disagreed with Gandhi at the function. “There should be no part-time teachers. The government should ensure that all colleges and universities afford full-time faculty. Teacher outsourcing should not be done,” Thorat said.
Former HRD minister Pratap Chandra Chunder blamed political interference for the education scenario. “No university in Bengal enjoys complete academic autonomy. We often hear about malpractices at universities, which should not happen.”
Thorat added that the UGC would do a social audit to see how many OBC students were currently getting access to higher education. The UGC will also start its own quality assessment programme while encouraging colleges to also get assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NACC).
mou.hindustantimes@yahoocom
Kolkata, January 24, 2007
A concerned governor wants Calcutta University to bring back retired teachers so that students regain their trust in teachers. Gopal Krishna Gandhi, also the university’s chairman, said this at the closing ceremony of CU’s 150-year celebrations.
Before taking the dais at the function, Gandhi spoke to the teachers and students. While the teachers said the fluctuating temperament of students were impediments to giving them quality education, the students grumbled that their teachers were too busy to give them extra time.
Students’ trust for teachers was fast eroding, Gandhi said. “If this trust were not regained, the 150-year-old university would soon be unable to differentiate itself from the 150-year-old banyan tree at the botanical garden,” he said.
To regain this trust, Gandhi suggested that retired teachers be brought back to the classes. “They are the treasure house of experience and will be able to solve this problem,” he said, adding that the extra money required for this exercise could be taken from alumni contribution.
Fulltime teachers should not feel threatened, Gandhi added. “There is no need for general teachers to be worried, as the classes conducted by retired teachers would not be conventional. These would be special classes aimed at restoring the students’ lost trust,” he said.
UGC chairman Prof S. Thorat, however, disagreed with Gandhi at the function. “There should be no part-time teachers. The government should ensure that all colleges and universities afford full-time faculty. Teacher outsourcing should not be done,” Thorat said.
Former HRD minister Pratap Chandra Chunder blamed political interference for the education scenario. “No university in Bengal enjoys complete academic autonomy. We often hear about malpractices at universities, which should not happen.”
Thorat added that the UGC would do a social audit to see how many OBC students were currently getting access to higher education. The UGC will also start its own quality assessment programme while encouraging colleges to also get assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NACC).
mou.hindustantimes@yahoocom
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
IIT-KGP gears up for OBC quota from coming session
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 23, 2007
IIT Kharagpur is likely to introduce 334 seats in the OBC quota from the coming academic session. The number of general seats will, however, remain the same.
The institute plans to implement the reservation in three years — 9 per cent in each phase. This would add up to 27 per cent reservation for OBC students — as laid down by the Centre — and a 54 per cent increase in total number of students by 2009. The human resources development ministry has not given any clear instruction on the general seats and the institute will not increase the number unless told.
IIT Kharagpur submitted its final plan for implementation of the OBC quota to the human resources ministry on January 17. It now awaits an official communication from the ministry. “As of now there has been no official communication but since the Bill has already been passed in Parliament, the quota is likely to be introduced in phases from 2007. The plan is to have at least 334 seats dedicated to the OBC category in the first year and whenever the government gives its orders, we will go ahead,” said professor S.K. Dube, director of IIT Kharagpur.
A total of 2,356 students took admission to IIT Kgp in 2006. Of them, 845 were enrolled for undergraduate programmes and 1,511 students for post-graduate programmes. This year, 125 of the new seats will be for undergraduate programmes and 210 for post-graduate ones. In 2008, the institute will add 446 seats, followed by 606 the year after that.
“We will be keeping the seats of the general category intact. Though the SC and ST students will continue to enjoy 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent reservation respectively but the number of reserved seats will go up since the total number of seats will be going up,” said professor Raja Kumar, head of a Perspective Plan Committee set up by the institute.
To ensure that the quota is implemented smoothly, the committee has also done a department-wise analysis on the intake pattern and market requirement.
The cost of implementation of the OBC quota has, however, been curtailed. Though IIT Kharagpur had initially asked for Rs 1,180 crore for the total project, it later brought down the figure to Rs 680 crore.
Keeping in mind the increase in number of seats, infrastructure development has already begun. “We are adding space to all the departments to facilitate extra students. Laboratories, faculty residences and hostels will also be constructed and the process of infrastructure development will go on till 2014,” Dube said.
IIT Kharagpur will also need 500 more teachers by 2012 to cater to the extra students. In the 2007-2008 academic session itself, the institute will have to recruit 60 teachers, followed by 92 more in 2008-2009 and 123 in 2009-2010.
But many of the existing faculty are not happy with the implementation of the OBC quota. “With his money the authority will not be able to create the required infrastructure. The present infrastructure itself is not enough to cater to the existing students. If this goes on, we feel that IIT will lose its academic standard,” a senior member of the faculty said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 23, 2007
IIT Kharagpur is likely to introduce 334 seats in the OBC quota from the coming academic session. The number of general seats will, however, remain the same.
The institute plans to implement the reservation in three years — 9 per cent in each phase. This would add up to 27 per cent reservation for OBC students — as laid down by the Centre — and a 54 per cent increase in total number of students by 2009. The human resources development ministry has not given any clear instruction on the general seats and the institute will not increase the number unless told.
IIT Kharagpur submitted its final plan for implementation of the OBC quota to the human resources ministry on January 17. It now awaits an official communication from the ministry. “As of now there has been no official communication but since the Bill has already been passed in Parliament, the quota is likely to be introduced in phases from 2007. The plan is to have at least 334 seats dedicated to the OBC category in the first year and whenever the government gives its orders, we will go ahead,” said professor S.K. Dube, director of IIT Kharagpur.
A total of 2,356 students took admission to IIT Kgp in 2006. Of them, 845 were enrolled for undergraduate programmes and 1,511 students for post-graduate programmes. This year, 125 of the new seats will be for undergraduate programmes and 210 for post-graduate ones. In 2008, the institute will add 446 seats, followed by 606 the year after that.
“We will be keeping the seats of the general category intact. Though the SC and ST students will continue to enjoy 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent reservation respectively but the number of reserved seats will go up since the total number of seats will be going up,” said professor Raja Kumar, head of a Perspective Plan Committee set up by the institute.
To ensure that the quota is implemented smoothly, the committee has also done a department-wise analysis on the intake pattern and market requirement.
The cost of implementation of the OBC quota has, however, been curtailed. Though IIT Kharagpur had initially asked for Rs 1,180 crore for the total project, it later brought down the figure to Rs 680 crore.
Keeping in mind the increase in number of seats, infrastructure development has already begun. “We are adding space to all the departments to facilitate extra students. Laboratories, faculty residences and hostels will also be constructed and the process of infrastructure development will go on till 2014,” Dube said.
IIT Kharagpur will also need 500 more teachers by 2012 to cater to the extra students. In the 2007-2008 academic session itself, the institute will have to recruit 60 teachers, followed by 92 more in 2008-2009 and 123 in 2009-2010.
But many of the existing faculty are not happy with the implementation of the OBC quota. “With his money the authority will not be able to create the required infrastructure. The present infrastructure itself is not enough to cater to the existing students. If this goes on, we feel that IIT will lose its academic standard,” a senior member of the faculty said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, January 22, 2007
Acute shortfall of IT teachers in WB
Mou Chakraborty
January, Kolkata 22, 2007
The state higher education department is facing an acute shortfall of teachers in its engineering colleges. Many top educationists aired this view while speaking at the ‘West Bengal Engineering and Technology Education Convention’ organised by the SFI at Jadavpur University on Sunday.
The worst sufferers are students who enrolled in IT based courses in engineering colleges. “IT based courses attract the most students, however, there is a chronic shortage of teachers,” said Subimal Sen, vice-chairman of West Bengal State Council of Higher Education. The shortage of teachers in IITs is also worrying, Sen added.
To combat the situation, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), had launched an ‘Early Faculty Induction Programme.’ A student who wants to be a teacher after completing his engineering education, will be entitled to a scholarship of Rs10,000 per month.
“However, no student from engineering colleges of the state has shown interest. Students do not want to waste their time in doing MA and PhD and become a teacher. Instead they take up jobs which pay them more,” said N.R Banerjea, a member of AICTE and vice Chancellor of Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur.
Well known educationist Prof Shankar Sen felt the government should take the initiative to produce teachers right from school levels. “Schools should identify students who have the mentality of teaching and groom them accordingly. There should be special orientation programme for such students right from the school level,” said Sen.
Though city colleges hire part time and retired teachers to fill up vacancies, the engineering colleges in districts are the worst sufferers. “Engineering colleges in districts often take the help of video conferencing. But technology courses should be taught by teachers and not video conferencing,” said Subimal Sen.
Both students and teachers felt that WBJEE should be re-examined and instead of just preparing engineers, the courses should also churn out researchers and teachers. The SFI, also urged the state higher education department to introduce 40 per cent short questions in WBJEE instead of 100 per cent multiple choice, as is the current practice. The SFI also urged the authorities to ensure that only quality students can take admission through WBJEE. The SFI added that though it is a national exam, students from the state should get first priority.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
January, Kolkata 22, 2007
The state higher education department is facing an acute shortfall of teachers in its engineering colleges. Many top educationists aired this view while speaking at the ‘West Bengal Engineering and Technology Education Convention’ organised by the SFI at Jadavpur University on Sunday.
The worst sufferers are students who enrolled in IT based courses in engineering colleges. “IT based courses attract the most students, however, there is a chronic shortage of teachers,” said Subimal Sen, vice-chairman of West Bengal State Council of Higher Education. The shortage of teachers in IITs is also worrying, Sen added.
To combat the situation, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), had launched an ‘Early Faculty Induction Programme.’ A student who wants to be a teacher after completing his engineering education, will be entitled to a scholarship of Rs10,000 per month.
“However, no student from engineering colleges of the state has shown interest. Students do not want to waste their time in doing MA and PhD and become a teacher. Instead they take up jobs which pay them more,” said N.R Banerjea, a member of AICTE and vice Chancellor of Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur.
Well known educationist Prof Shankar Sen felt the government should take the initiative to produce teachers right from school levels. “Schools should identify students who have the mentality of teaching and groom them accordingly. There should be special orientation programme for such students right from the school level,” said Sen.
Though city colleges hire part time and retired teachers to fill up vacancies, the engineering colleges in districts are the worst sufferers. “Engineering colleges in districts often take the help of video conferencing. But technology courses should be taught by teachers and not video conferencing,” said Subimal Sen.
Both students and teachers felt that WBJEE should be re-examined and instead of just preparing engineers, the courses should also churn out researchers and teachers. The SFI, also urged the state higher education department to introduce 40 per cent short questions in WBJEE instead of 100 per cent multiple choice, as is the current practice. The SFI also urged the authorities to ensure that only quality students can take admission through WBJEE. The SFI added that though it is a national exam, students from the state should get first priority.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
CNI schools to save teachers from parental harassment
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 22, 2007
Students are not the only ones stressed; teachers and principals too are under constant pressure from the parents of pupils and the administration. A watchdog body for schools is now framing a policy to check harassment of teachers.
The Principal and Teacher Protection Policy will be followed by a host of city schools, including La Martiniere for Girls, La Martiniere for Boys, St James School, St Thomas’ Boys’ School, St Thomas’ Girls’ School, St Paul’s, Pratt Memorial and United Missionaries — all run by the Church of North India (CNI).
“On many occasions, parents harass teachers and principals over trivial issues. It is easy to point a finger at a teacher for scolding a child, but the teacher too should have the right to defend himself. Increasingly, teachers are being penalised for no fault of theirs,” said Bishop P.S.P. Raju, head of the Calcutta Diocese. “Principals are in an even worse situation as they also have to tackle the rpoblem of disgruntled teachers.”
The CNI’s decision to frame such a policy was prompted by an incident in Bankura last September.
A student of Bankura Christian Mission Girls’ School run by CNI had committed suicide after she was unable to perform in class. Though no FIR was lodged, the student’s parents held the principal and teachers responsible for the death.
According to CNI, there have been several such situations where schoolteachers have been grilled and harassed for punishing an undisciplined student. “Such incident leads to unwanted stress and tension for the teachers and we will have to do something to protect them from situations for which they cannot be held responsible. Otherwise, it will be difficult to run schools peacefully and in a disciplined manner,” Bishop Raju said.
Neil O’Brien, chairman of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), had also recently suggested the need for de-stressing teachers and principals.
The policy will help teachers defend themselves against allegations of needless punishment. “If the teachers live in fear, how will they teach the students? We are not framing any guidelines, but a policy, which all CNI schools will have to follow. This policy will help teachers defend themselves in the court of law,” Bishop Raju said.
But students will definitely not be left to suffer. The policy will include a clause to ensure that the interest of students too is well protected. “We do not want our children to suffer, hence the policy will also preserve their rights. But at the same time, we will ensure that teachers are not harassed for trying to enforce discipline in school. We will have to see both the sides and ensure everyone’s safety,” Bishop Raju said.
CNI is taking the help of educationists, psychiatrists, sociologists and a group of lawyers from Delhi to frame the policy. “After the work is complete, we will first implement it in a central Kolkata school and watch out for loopholes. If everything goes all right, we will implement it in the rest of the schools. We hope to start the trial run in a month’s time,” Bishop Raju said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 22, 2007
Students are not the only ones stressed; teachers and principals too are under constant pressure from the parents of pupils and the administration. A watchdog body for schools is now framing a policy to check harassment of teachers.
The Principal and Teacher Protection Policy will be followed by a host of city schools, including La Martiniere for Girls, La Martiniere for Boys, St James School, St Thomas’ Boys’ School, St Thomas’ Girls’ School, St Paul’s, Pratt Memorial and United Missionaries — all run by the Church of North India (CNI).
“On many occasions, parents harass teachers and principals over trivial issues. It is easy to point a finger at a teacher for scolding a child, but the teacher too should have the right to defend himself. Increasingly, teachers are being penalised for no fault of theirs,” said Bishop P.S.P. Raju, head of the Calcutta Diocese. “Principals are in an even worse situation as they also have to tackle the rpoblem of disgruntled teachers.”
The CNI’s decision to frame such a policy was prompted by an incident in Bankura last September.
A student of Bankura Christian Mission Girls’ School run by CNI had committed suicide after she was unable to perform in class. Though no FIR was lodged, the student’s parents held the principal and teachers responsible for the death.
According to CNI, there have been several such situations where schoolteachers have been grilled and harassed for punishing an undisciplined student. “Such incident leads to unwanted stress and tension for the teachers and we will have to do something to protect them from situations for which they cannot be held responsible. Otherwise, it will be difficult to run schools peacefully and in a disciplined manner,” Bishop Raju said.
Neil O’Brien, chairman of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), had also recently suggested the need for de-stressing teachers and principals.
The policy will help teachers defend themselves against allegations of needless punishment. “If the teachers live in fear, how will they teach the students? We are not framing any guidelines, but a policy, which all CNI schools will have to follow. This policy will help teachers defend themselves in the court of law,” Bishop Raju said.
But students will definitely not be left to suffer. The policy will include a clause to ensure that the interest of students too is well protected. “We do not want our children to suffer, hence the policy will also preserve their rights. But at the same time, we will ensure that teachers are not harassed for trying to enforce discipline in school. We will have to see both the sides and ensure everyone’s safety,” Bishop Raju said.
CNI is taking the help of educationists, psychiatrists, sociologists and a group of lawyers from Delhi to frame the policy. “After the work is complete, we will first implement it in a central Kolkata school and watch out for loopholes. If everything goes all right, we will implement it in the rest of the schools. We hope to start the trial run in a month’s time,” Bishop Raju said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Christian schools unhappy with draft education bill
Mou Chakraborty
January, Kolkata 20, 2007
Christian schools are unhappy with the school education ministry’s draft Education Bill, which would allow the latter to regulate schools’ administration, teachers’ salary and tuition fees once it becomes a law.
Representative of 83 Christian school founder bodies met under the umbrella of West Bengal Association of Christian Schools (WBACS) and the education cell of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP) on Saturday to discuss the matter.
“None of the 17 points in the draft ensure protection of the rights given to us minority institutions by the Constitution. We are suggesting some amendments, which we have drafted today and will be submitting to the school education ministry very soon,” said Herod Mallick, general secretary of BCP.
A major disagreement is over the government being allowed to decide the fees structure of any school. “We want the founder bodies of schools to decide the fee structure. This is because the money collected from schools where we charge high fees goes to schools that we run for the destitute. Moreover, as a minority institution we have the right to decide our school fees,” said Dr Shailesh Mukhopadhyay, secretary, WBACS.
Christian schools are also against holding elections among guardian representatives for a berth in the general body. They themselves have been nominating the representatives all these days, but the proposed Bill is asking them to do otherwise. WBACS feels elections among guardian representatives would create chaos and in no way contribute to the academic environment.
They are also enraged at the proposed school-mapping programme, under which only the ministry can decide where in the state new schools can come up. “Minority schools should be kept out of such programmes. We would like to ensure that the final draft of the Bill looks after all these shortfalls and helps minority institutions protect their rights,” said Mullick.
The meeting also undertook to revise recruitment rules to be followed by the Christian schools. From now on academic qualification, ability to communicate with students and psychological inclination towards teaching in a minority institution would be given utmost importance while selecting a teacher.
It was also decided that if the schools select a clergy to head the institutions they can fill up the post without giving advertisements in newspapers.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
January, Kolkata 20, 2007
Christian schools are unhappy with the school education ministry’s draft Education Bill, which would allow the latter to regulate schools’ administration, teachers’ salary and tuition fees once it becomes a law.
Representative of 83 Christian school founder bodies met under the umbrella of West Bengal Association of Christian Schools (WBACS) and the education cell of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP) on Saturday to discuss the matter.
“None of the 17 points in the draft ensure protection of the rights given to us minority institutions by the Constitution. We are suggesting some amendments, which we have drafted today and will be submitting to the school education ministry very soon,” said Herod Mallick, general secretary of BCP.
A major disagreement is over the government being allowed to decide the fees structure of any school. “We want the founder bodies of schools to decide the fee structure. This is because the money collected from schools where we charge high fees goes to schools that we run for the destitute. Moreover, as a minority institution we have the right to decide our school fees,” said Dr Shailesh Mukhopadhyay, secretary, WBACS.
Christian schools are also against holding elections among guardian representatives for a berth in the general body. They themselves have been nominating the representatives all these days, but the proposed Bill is asking them to do otherwise. WBACS feels elections among guardian representatives would create chaos and in no way contribute to the academic environment.
They are also enraged at the proposed school-mapping programme, under which only the ministry can decide where in the state new schools can come up. “Minority schools should be kept out of such programmes. We would like to ensure that the final draft of the Bill looks after all these shortfalls and helps minority institutions protect their rights,” said Mullick.
The meeting also undertook to revise recruitment rules to be followed by the Christian schools. From now on academic qualification, ability to communicate with students and psychological inclination towards teaching in a minority institution would be given utmost importance while selecting a teacher.
It was also decided that if the schools select a clergy to head the institutions they can fill up the post without giving advertisements in newspapers.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
New admission criteria for colleges to be formulated
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 17, 2007
After the West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) decided to stop the practice of giving grand totals in its marksheets and award grades along with the marks, now all state universities have come together to formulate a new admission criterion for undergraduate courses.
The West Bengal State Council Of Higher Education (WBSCHE) on Wednesday held a meeting of Vice chancellors of all state aided universities. The president of the Higher Secondary council Gopa Basu was also present.
The meeting discussed various patterns in which they can formulate a new admission process. The ‘best of five’ method followed by the Delhi Board was among the most popular. “We can no longer ask for a certain per cent in the aggregate of an HS pass out since there will be no grand total. The ‘best of five’ method seems to be the most likely solution,” said Professor Suranjan Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Calcutta University.
But there are many problems for this ‘likely solution.’ The universities will have to formulate a method to ensure that students seeking to study honours in various subject combination should not suffer. For example a student who wants to study honours in economics has to secure a certain per cent of marks in maths, which may not come under the best of five category for that particular student.
“We have asked all the universities to discuss the mater in their academic council and come back with suggestion within a month’s time after which our a common admission criteria will be framed,” said Subimal Sen, Vice Chairman of WBSCHE.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 17, 2007
After the West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) decided to stop the practice of giving grand totals in its marksheets and award grades along with the marks, now all state universities have come together to formulate a new admission criterion for undergraduate courses.
The West Bengal State Council Of Higher Education (WBSCHE) on Wednesday held a meeting of Vice chancellors of all state aided universities. The president of the Higher Secondary council Gopa Basu was also present.
The meeting discussed various patterns in which they can formulate a new admission process. The ‘best of five’ method followed by the Delhi Board was among the most popular. “We can no longer ask for a certain per cent in the aggregate of an HS pass out since there will be no grand total. The ‘best of five’ method seems to be the most likely solution,” said Professor Suranjan Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Calcutta University.
But there are many problems for this ‘likely solution.’ The universities will have to formulate a method to ensure that students seeking to study honours in various subject combination should not suffer. For example a student who wants to study honours in economics has to secure a certain per cent of marks in maths, which may not come under the best of five category for that particular student.
“We have asked all the universities to discuss the mater in their academic council and come back with suggestion within a month’s time after which our a common admission criteria will be framed,” said Subimal Sen, Vice Chairman of WBSCHE.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
RTI breaks 150 years tradition of CU
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 16, 2007
The Right to Information (RTI) Act has moved mountains. The Calcutta University (CU) syndicate on Tuesday decided, for the first time in 150 years, to let a student take a look at his answers script.
B.Com Part II candidate Utsav Dutta, who got less than 40 per cent in a paper but thought he deserved more and demanded to see his script, will be granted his wish at the intervention of the state right to information (RTI) commission. However, the university has clarified that this will be a one-off case and will not qualify as a precedent.
Usatav had moved the Calcutta High Court after CU turned down his appeal to see the script. The court forwarded his case to the RTI commission, which heard both parties and then directed the university to show Utsav his script within a month.
“The university statute does not allow anybody to secure a review of his answers script if he scores below 40 per cent. Candidates are never allowed to take a look at their scripts. But the syndicate today decided to act as per the state RTI commission’s orders. The syndicate, however, has made it clear that exemption is being allowed only in this case,” CU registrar Samir Bandhapadhyay said.
RTI commissioner Arun Bhattacharya said while the candidate would be allowed to see his answers script the university would follow its own review and re-examination guidelines. “The examinee has the right to inspect his answers script. You cannot deny him this right. I am happy that the university has accepted this decision,” he said.
CU has never allowed students to take a look at their answers scripts. An aggrieved candidate’s options have been limited so far to applying for a review and appealing to the pro-vice Chancellor (academic) to let the principal of his college to take a look at his answer script
Universities usually refuse to let candidates inspect their answer scripts because it might violate the Copy Right Act and reveal examiners’ identities. The RTI commissioner’s order says that examiners’ identities, like that of examinees, should be concealed while answer scripts are inspected.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 16, 2007
The Right to Information (RTI) Act has moved mountains. The Calcutta University (CU) syndicate on Tuesday decided, for the first time in 150 years, to let a student take a look at his answers script.
B.Com Part II candidate Utsav Dutta, who got less than 40 per cent in a paper but thought he deserved more and demanded to see his script, will be granted his wish at the intervention of the state right to information (RTI) commission. However, the university has clarified that this will be a one-off case and will not qualify as a precedent.
Usatav had moved the Calcutta High Court after CU turned down his appeal to see the script. The court forwarded his case to the RTI commission, which heard both parties and then directed the university to show Utsav his script within a month.
“The university statute does not allow anybody to secure a review of his answers script if he scores below 40 per cent. Candidates are never allowed to take a look at their scripts. But the syndicate today decided to act as per the state RTI commission’s orders. The syndicate, however, has made it clear that exemption is being allowed only in this case,” CU registrar Samir Bandhapadhyay said.
RTI commissioner Arun Bhattacharya said while the candidate would be allowed to see his answers script the university would follow its own review and re-examination guidelines. “The examinee has the right to inspect his answers script. You cannot deny him this right. I am happy that the university has accepted this decision,” he said.
CU has never allowed students to take a look at their answers scripts. An aggrieved candidate’s options have been limited so far to applying for a review and appealing to the pro-vice Chancellor (academic) to let the principal of his college to take a look at his answer script
Universities usually refuse to let candidates inspect their answer scripts because it might violate the Copy Right Act and reveal examiners’ identities. The RTI commissioner’s order says that examiners’ identities, like that of examinees, should be concealed while answer scripts are inspected.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Friday, January 12, 2007
SFI sweeps Singur but Nandigram jinx for SFI
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, January 12
The runaway victory at Singur turned out to be a flop show at Nandigram. This, however, is not a comment on the state government’s land acquisition process, but the plight of the Left Front-affiliated union Students Federation of India (SFI).
SFI, which managed to sweep through the colleges of Singur in Hooghly, failed to leave its mark at Nandigram in East Midnapore, according to results declared on Friday for the ongoing students’ union polls across 410 colleges of the states.
While Sukanta College, nearest to Singur, voted in a SFI students’ union after 17 years, the leftists lost in Nandigram College. While SFI is taking its loss at Nandigram gracefully and refuses to put the blame on the state government’s policy, at Singur, however, it is taking an upper hand and wants rival parties Chhatra Parishad (CP) and Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TCP) to learn a lesson.
SFI state president Sudip Sengupta said the oppositions’ stand that Singur and Nandigram would be the turning point in the polls was not true. “The future citizens of the state have clearly stated they are with the government.”
Sengupta added, “ Last year we controlled unions of 340 colleges and this year we will add to this count. The verdict reveals that students are in favour of industrialisation and support the process initiated by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.”
Talking about Nandigram, Sengupta preferred to expose the chinks in the organisation instead of the recent happenings. “It is because of the weakness of our organisation at Nandigram College, which resulted in our loss. The present land acquisition problem was never an issue,” he said. He also urged intellectuals to learn from the students’ verdict and stop campaigning against Bhattacharjee’s efforts at industrialisation at Singur and Nandigram. “No one can stop this progress. When Kolkata was expanded several acres of agricultural land around the city was converted for housing. There have been many other Special Economic Zones in the state. The only point of concern should be proper compensation and rehabilitation of the uprooted people, which is being done in this case,” Sengupta said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, January 12
The runaway victory at Singur turned out to be a flop show at Nandigram. This, however, is not a comment on the state government’s land acquisition process, but the plight of the Left Front-affiliated union Students Federation of India (SFI).
SFI, which managed to sweep through the colleges of Singur in Hooghly, failed to leave its mark at Nandigram in East Midnapore, according to results declared on Friday for the ongoing students’ union polls across 410 colleges of the states.
While Sukanta College, nearest to Singur, voted in a SFI students’ union after 17 years, the leftists lost in Nandigram College. While SFI is taking its loss at Nandigram gracefully and refuses to put the blame on the state government’s policy, at Singur, however, it is taking an upper hand and wants rival parties Chhatra Parishad (CP) and Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TCP) to learn a lesson.
SFI state president Sudip Sengupta said the oppositions’ stand that Singur and Nandigram would be the turning point in the polls was not true. “The future citizens of the state have clearly stated they are with the government.”
Sengupta added, “ Last year we controlled unions of 340 colleges and this year we will add to this count. The verdict reveals that students are in favour of industrialisation and support the process initiated by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.”
Talking about Nandigram, Sengupta preferred to expose the chinks in the organisation instead of the recent happenings. “It is because of the weakness of our organisation at Nandigram College, which resulted in our loss. The present land acquisition problem was never an issue,” he said. He also urged intellectuals to learn from the students’ verdict and stop campaigning against Bhattacharjee’s efforts at industrialisation at Singur and Nandigram. “No one can stop this progress. When Kolkata was expanded several acres of agricultural land around the city was converted for housing. There have been many other Special Economic Zones in the state. The only point of concern should be proper compensation and rehabilitation of the uprooted people, which is being done in this case,” Sengupta said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
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