Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, May 14, 2007
Your child might already have an inclination towards the sciences or maybe they are like some who shy away from the subject. Parents need not always look for a “good teacher” from now on, as there is fun way to learn science in the city.
Coming to India for the first time, is an international organisation – Mad Science – specialising in teaching science to schoolchildren in a fun manner. And the good news is that the organisation will be based in the city.
“We specialise in organising crazy scientific experiments for schoolchildren between 6 and 12 years. Our aim is to help them fall in love with science through fun at a tender age. So, when they grow up they can take to the subject naturally and maybe pursue a career in science. Mad Science engages children in scientific explorations that are so much fun that children will forget they are learning,” said Anirban Chanda, head of Mad Science in Kolkata.
Mad Science originated in Montreal, Canada in 1985. It was the brainchild of two brothers, Ariel and Ron Shlien. As children, the brothers loved performing crazy scientific experiments for friends in their neighbourhood. Currently, Mad Science has a presence in over 23 countries, including the US, the UK, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia and Canada. “The Mad Science performances are famous all over the world. Our presentations are 60 per cent entertainment and 40 per cent education. Children do not want to spend time after school with a science tutor when they go home. So, we offer them the knowledge through fun,” said Chanda.
Text books, exercise books, blackboards and homework are banned in Mad Science programmes. Mad Science instructors have their own experiment kits and according to the syllabus being followed, the children are assisted to try out upto 10 experiments in a one-hour class. The organisation specialises in imparting practical, hands-on knowledge of science through fun-filled experiments. And the good part is that they will probably remember the experience and could well be spurred on to greater things.
Mad Science offers several types of programmes such as, yearlong workshops in schools, summer camps, after-school and pre-school programmes. They kicked off by organising a summer camp at Science City from May 14 to May. “We are approaching various schools for tie-ups and parents can also send their children to us for after school programmes conducted on weekends spread over 8 weeks,” said Chanda.
You can invite Mad Science to your child’s birthday parties too. “Our no-mess, hassle-free parties typically last one hour, with the option of special add-ons, like cotton candy-making, bubbling potions and rocket launches. Children will discover objects that float through columns of air, marvel at the mystery of fireworks, see the power of static electricity and be amazed by green-glowing water,” Chanda added.
The programmes start from Rs 2,000 per student and to know more about the programmes, you can log on to www.madscience.org.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, May 14, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
National level common entrance test to study law to strat soon
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, May 9, 2007
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is set to introduce a common entrance test for students who want to study five-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Law in the national law institutes across the country. While the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a committee led by Professor Mool Chand Shrama, the commission’s Vice Chairman, the committee consists of MHRD Joint Secretary Sunil Kumar and the heads of seven national law institutes, including Vice Chancellor M.P. Singh of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS).
The committee is presently busy drafting the modalities of the common entrance test for students who would be seeking admission in the seven national institutes, including Gujarat National Law University, National Law Institute University (Bhopal), National Law School of India University (Bangalore), National Law University (Jodhpur), WBNUJS, Hidayatullah National Law University (Raipur) and Hyderabad-based National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR). “Though I am personally not looking into it, UGC is in the process of starting a national level common entrance examination for students seeking admission in law schools,” UGC chairman Professor Sukhdeo Thorat said.
The UGC, however, is yet to decid what the common entrance should be called. The decision till now is to have a centrallised counselling for rank holders, following which individual law schools can send call letters to qualifying students as is done by the IIMs after CAT results are declared. While the next stage for admisison could be participation in a group discussion, the committtee is still yet to decide on this model. “We still have some time in our hand to fine tune it,” said Professor Balraj Chauhan, director of the Bhopal-based university.
He infomred that the move was being taken as a Supreme Court judgement urged all national law schools to have a common entrance test so that students do not have to sit for separate entracnce tests at different law schools. “We are also trying to see if upcoming law schools can be brought under the ambit of the test. Our aim is to start this entrance test in 2008 as students seek admission for the next academic session. Since specailsiation in law has become a lucatrive career option, we will be able to get the best of talents only if we have a centralised exam,” Professor Chauhan added.
The special commite will be holding a meeting end of this month to decide if other law schools like Symbiosis Society’s Law College, Amity Law School, ILS Law College (Pune) and Tamil Nadu-based Dr Ambedkar Law University, National University for Advanced Legal Studies, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Ram Manohar Lohia Rashtriya Vidhi Sansthan and the Chanakya Naional Law University, besides some state colleges can be brought under the exam’s umbrella.
While different law schools also follow different syllabus, the committee is in the process of designing a common syllabus for the entrance test, including both objective and subjective questions, etsing students’ skills in general scince, English, general ability, legal aptitutde and IQ. “We are keeping in mind that students sititng for the exam would be Higher Secondary pass outs or those appered in Class 12. We would ensure that areas covered in the common entrace test is not out of bounds for them,” said Chauhan, who is also responsible for forming the exam syllabus.
According to available satisics, over while 2.5 lakh students enrol for BA Ll.B every year but only around 700 study in national law institutes. A section of committee members belive they are successful in bringing other national law schools under the test’s umbrella, students would have to face less harrasment.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, May 9, 2007
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) is set to introduce a common entrance test for students who want to study five-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Law in the national law institutes across the country. While the University Grants Commission (UGC) has formed a committee led by Professor Mool Chand Shrama, the commission’s Vice Chairman, the committee consists of MHRD Joint Secretary Sunil Kumar and the heads of seven national law institutes, including Vice Chancellor M.P. Singh of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS).
The committee is presently busy drafting the modalities of the common entrance test for students who would be seeking admission in the seven national institutes, including Gujarat National Law University, National Law Institute University (Bhopal), National Law School of India University (Bangalore), National Law University (Jodhpur), WBNUJS, Hidayatullah National Law University (Raipur) and Hyderabad-based National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR). “Though I am personally not looking into it, UGC is in the process of starting a national level common entrance examination for students seeking admission in law schools,” UGC chairman Professor Sukhdeo Thorat said.
The UGC, however, is yet to decid what the common entrance should be called. The decision till now is to have a centrallised counselling for rank holders, following which individual law schools can send call letters to qualifying students as is done by the IIMs after CAT results are declared. While the next stage for admisison could be participation in a group discussion, the committtee is still yet to decide on this model. “We still have some time in our hand to fine tune it,” said Professor Balraj Chauhan, director of the Bhopal-based university.
He infomred that the move was being taken as a Supreme Court judgement urged all national law schools to have a common entrance test so that students do not have to sit for separate entracnce tests at different law schools. “We are also trying to see if upcoming law schools can be brought under the ambit of the test. Our aim is to start this entrance test in 2008 as students seek admission for the next academic session. Since specailsiation in law has become a lucatrive career option, we will be able to get the best of talents only if we have a centralised exam,” Professor Chauhan added.
The special commite will be holding a meeting end of this month to decide if other law schools like Symbiosis Society’s Law College, Amity Law School, ILS Law College (Pune) and Tamil Nadu-based Dr Ambedkar Law University, National University for Advanced Legal Studies, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Ram Manohar Lohia Rashtriya Vidhi Sansthan and the Chanakya Naional Law University, besides some state colleges can be brought under the exam’s umbrella.
While different law schools also follow different syllabus, the committee is in the process of designing a common syllabus for the entrance test, including both objective and subjective questions, etsing students’ skills in general scince, English, general ability, legal aptitutde and IQ. “We are keeping in mind that students sititng for the exam would be Higher Secondary pass outs or those appered in Class 12. We would ensure that areas covered in the common entrace test is not out of bounds for them,” said Chauhan, who is also responsible for forming the exam syllabus.
According to available satisics, over while 2.5 lakh students enrol for BA Ll.B every year but only around 700 study in national law institutes. A section of committee members belive they are successful in bringing other national law schools under the test’s umbrella, students would have to face less harrasment.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, May 7, 2007
Shoot the moon with a little help form the SFI
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, May 7, 2007
With the results of Class X and XII board exams and competitive exams such as WBJEE and IITJEE expected soon, the Students Federation of India (SFI) has decided to conduct career counselling for these students across the state.
“The SFI will conduct career counselling programmes in all 19 districts in May and June. This is a crucial period for students, as they have to decide about their higher studies, its costs and take the plunge. The SFI will help them in this matter of decision making,” said Apurbo Chatterjee, state secretary of SFI.
This year SFI has decided to give more importance to its units in schools and will also initiate interaction with guardians of students and the career counselling programme is a step forward in that direction.
All SFI local committees will visit homes where a student has appeared in a board or a competitive exam and will ask them to fill up a form. It will record the marks obtained by the students in his or her academic career and also about his ambitions. It will also make a note of the both the students’ proficiencies and drawbacks. The survey would also ascertain whether the student can afford higher studies.
Then students and their guardians would be invited to a day-long convention, where teachers and educationists of the area, will offer counselling on probable careers that might suit the student. SFI members who also work as career counsellors might also offer guidance to students. If there is a demand for a particular career option, then experts in that field will an insider’s view of the profession.
A career guide published by SFI will also be on sale. It will inform students about various educational and professional institutes in the state, admission procedure, fee structure and the cut-off marks for admission in various institutions the previous year.
The SFI would also give economic assistance to those with a cash crunch. “We will collect funds from our members throughout the year to help finance higher education of needy students. We will also approach others to help out,” said Sudip Sengupta, state president of SFI.
Those who are weak in studies need not lose heart. “If a student is not good in studies, there is no need for them to worry. We will encourage such students to take up various vocational courses launched by the state,” said Sengupta.
The SFI has also joined hands with Democratic Youth Federation of India, to help those who want to discontinue their studies and start something of their own. Various self-help and entrepreneurship development schemes offered by the state and the methods of availing them will be discussed. They will also get tips about procuring loans for their ventures.
Though students’ groups of the opposition see this as damage control by the SFI post Nandigram and Singur, the SFI has refuted the allegation. “We have organised such events before but on a smaller scale. This time we want to reach out to as many students as possible,” said Sengupta. However, the SFI will organise signature campaigns against the violence in Nandigram in June.mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, May 7, 2007
With the results of Class X and XII board exams and competitive exams such as WBJEE and IITJEE expected soon, the Students Federation of India (SFI) has decided to conduct career counselling for these students across the state.
“The SFI will conduct career counselling programmes in all 19 districts in May and June. This is a crucial period for students, as they have to decide about their higher studies, its costs and take the plunge. The SFI will help them in this matter of decision making,” said Apurbo Chatterjee, state secretary of SFI.
This year SFI has decided to give more importance to its units in schools and will also initiate interaction with guardians of students and the career counselling programme is a step forward in that direction.
All SFI local committees will visit homes where a student has appeared in a board or a competitive exam and will ask them to fill up a form. It will record the marks obtained by the students in his or her academic career and also about his ambitions. It will also make a note of the both the students’ proficiencies and drawbacks. The survey would also ascertain whether the student can afford higher studies.
Then students and their guardians would be invited to a day-long convention, where teachers and educationists of the area, will offer counselling on probable careers that might suit the student. SFI members who also work as career counsellors might also offer guidance to students. If there is a demand for a particular career option, then experts in that field will an insider’s view of the profession.
A career guide published by SFI will also be on sale. It will inform students about various educational and professional institutes in the state, admission procedure, fee structure and the cut-off marks for admission in various institutions the previous year.
The SFI would also give economic assistance to those with a cash crunch. “We will collect funds from our members throughout the year to help finance higher education of needy students. We will also approach others to help out,” said Sudip Sengupta, state president of SFI.
Those who are weak in studies need not lose heart. “If a student is not good in studies, there is no need for them to worry. We will encourage such students to take up various vocational courses launched by the state,” said Sengupta.
The SFI has also joined hands with Democratic Youth Federation of India, to help those who want to discontinue their studies and start something of their own. Various self-help and entrepreneurship development schemes offered by the state and the methods of availing them will be discussed. They will also get tips about procuring loans for their ventures.
Though students’ groups of the opposition see this as damage control by the SFI post Nandigram and Singur, the SFI has refuted the allegation. “We have organised such events before but on a smaller scale. This time we want to reach out to as many students as possible,” said Sengupta. However, the SFI will organise signature campaigns against the violence in Nandigram in June.mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Proposal might bring sea change to higher education
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, May 7, 2007
A proposal by the Distance Education Council (DEC) of the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) can bring sweeping changes to higher education in the state. But, for that to happen it has to be accepted by the state higher education department.
According to the proposal, a college or university can offer a combination-mode of education. Picture yourself attending a full-time course and also pursuing another programme by this method, where you can attend weekend classes and also access lectures and study material online. Moreover, you can enrol in the two courses in two separate colleges or universities. A college or university will be permitted to enrol 40 pre cent students for the regular course and the rest under the combination mode or distance education mode. The programme would be entirely funded by the MHRD
The chairman of DEC — V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai was in the city on May 3 to discuss this proposal named ‘Convergence between the traditional face-to-face university education and distance learning for the benefit of both’. He conducted a meeting at the West Bengal State Council of Higher Education (WBSCHE) office with state higher education minister Sudarsan Roychaudhuri, and vice chancellors of all state universities.
Currently 10 per cent students in the 16 to 21 years age-group pursue higher education. The scheme is being offered to colleges and universities to double the figure to 20 per cent. The DEC along with IGNOU, in collaboration with UGC, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE) will help institutions to implement this scheme.
“The higher education minister was very positive about the proposal. We have invited all the vice chancellors to Delhi so that we can discuss the proposal in detail. Many have shown interest,” said Pillai.
Any college or university agreeing to the proposal will have sign an MoU with IGNOU and DEC. Even though, much of the course would be imparted via the internet, laboratory and library facilities would be available to students. “IGNOU will train the teachers to be tech-savvy. While we are urging full-time teachers to take some classes during the weekends, part-time teachers can also be engaged. Full-time teachers will be paid extra for conducting classes,” said Pillai.
The examination and evaluation process will be the same as that for students studying under the general course. Exams will be held together with the same set of question papers and the results too will be declared concurrently. Also, the mode of education will not be mentioned in the mark-sheet or certificate. “Through this programme the resources of institutions will be optimally utilised. Especially good colleges which have limited seats can enrol more students,” he said.
But the state is mulling over the matter before taking the final decision. “We have just got the details and need to study it further,” said Subimal Sen, vice-chairman of WBSCHE. The programme will be launched in July and according to Pillai about 15 universities across the country has shown interest.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, May 7, 2007
A proposal by the Distance Education Council (DEC) of the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) can bring sweeping changes to higher education in the state. But, for that to happen it has to be accepted by the state higher education department.
According to the proposal, a college or university can offer a combination-mode of education. Picture yourself attending a full-time course and also pursuing another programme by this method, where you can attend weekend classes and also access lectures and study material online. Moreover, you can enrol in the two courses in two separate colleges or universities. A college or university will be permitted to enrol 40 pre cent students for the regular course and the rest under the combination mode or distance education mode. The programme would be entirely funded by the MHRD
The chairman of DEC — V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai was in the city on May 3 to discuss this proposal named ‘Convergence between the traditional face-to-face university education and distance learning for the benefit of both’. He conducted a meeting at the West Bengal State Council of Higher Education (WBSCHE) office with state higher education minister Sudarsan Roychaudhuri, and vice chancellors of all state universities.
Currently 10 per cent students in the 16 to 21 years age-group pursue higher education. The scheme is being offered to colleges and universities to double the figure to 20 per cent. The DEC along with IGNOU, in collaboration with UGC, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE) will help institutions to implement this scheme.
“The higher education minister was very positive about the proposal. We have invited all the vice chancellors to Delhi so that we can discuss the proposal in detail. Many have shown interest,” said Pillai.
Any college or university agreeing to the proposal will have sign an MoU with IGNOU and DEC. Even though, much of the course would be imparted via the internet, laboratory and library facilities would be available to students. “IGNOU will train the teachers to be tech-savvy. While we are urging full-time teachers to take some classes during the weekends, part-time teachers can also be engaged. Full-time teachers will be paid extra for conducting classes,” said Pillai.
The examination and evaluation process will be the same as that for students studying under the general course. Exams will be held together with the same set of question papers and the results too will be declared concurrently. Also, the mode of education will not be mentioned in the mark-sheet or certificate. “Through this programme the resources of institutions will be optimally utilised. Especially good colleges which have limited seats can enrol more students,” he said.
But the state is mulling over the matter before taking the final decision. “We have just got the details and need to study it further,” said Subimal Sen, vice-chairman of WBSCHE. The programme will be launched in July and according to Pillai about 15 universities across the country has shown interest.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Friday, May 4, 2007
School for children of foreigners in the city
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, May 4, 2007
Come August the city will get a special school for children of diplomats living in the city and for those whose parents work with international business houses and keep travelling from one country to another.
The US consulate has come up with American School Kolkata (ASK), which is scheduled to open its doors to students from August 6. The school is not only a welcome relief for diplomats and other foreign nationals who live in the city, but it will also ensure an increase in trade with various multinationals.
“I hope that ASK will serve as a magnet for foreign businesses and as a vote of confidence for the rapid economic growth in this region. American Schools already exist in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, and are a key factor in the decision by international organisations and companies as to the location of their offices and personnel. We have also received much encouragement from the state government, as they clearly see the advantages of having an American international school in Kolkata,” said Henry V. Jardine, the US consul general in Kolkata.
The American School in Delhi already has 1,300 students and the one in Mumbai has 700 students. Chennai has about 400 students. “The demand for a berth at these schools are on the rise and we expect the same with its Kolkata counterpart. This is because people who are on the move and need to set up temporary base in eastern India will send their children to ASK. Thus, when they go to another country there is a parity in the syllabus,” said Jardine.
The Indian government however, will not allow Indian nationals to study in ASK and it will be limited to children holding foreign passports, a landed immigrant or those of comparable status. “If the government of India changes its policy, we would love to welcome Indian students at ASK. However, NRIs who come back to India for a brief period can also send their children to ASK,” said Jardine.
Indian teachers have a slim chance of becoming a faculty member at ASK. “The faculty positions are open to people of any nationality who have American certification or have worked in American schools,” he informed.
ASK will open with not more than 10 students and that too in the early elementary grades. As the demand increases, the school will grow in size to meet that demand. The school will start its operations from the US consulate office in the city and will be shifted to another address when expansion is required. The subjects will include, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and foreign languages. There will also be specialised classes in art, health, and music. The school later plans to offer International Baccalaureate diploma programmes to its students.
“We will adopt a student-centric approach of education, where, we will be encouraging students to correlate whatever they are learning with the real world. The teachers will just be the facilitators,” said Kathleen Dickinson Jardine, the teacher of ASK.
The fees of ASK will be higher compared to that of other schools offering an international curriculum in the city. The admission process has already begun and for additional information call 3984-2400 or email at ask@aes.ac.in.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, May 4, 2007
Come August the city will get a special school for children of diplomats living in the city and for those whose parents work with international business houses and keep travelling from one country to another.
The US consulate has come up with American School Kolkata (ASK), which is scheduled to open its doors to students from August 6. The school is not only a welcome relief for diplomats and other foreign nationals who live in the city, but it will also ensure an increase in trade with various multinationals.
“I hope that ASK will serve as a magnet for foreign businesses and as a vote of confidence for the rapid economic growth in this region. American Schools already exist in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, and are a key factor in the decision by international organisations and companies as to the location of their offices and personnel. We have also received much encouragement from the state government, as they clearly see the advantages of having an American international school in Kolkata,” said Henry V. Jardine, the US consul general in Kolkata.
The American School in Delhi already has 1,300 students and the one in Mumbai has 700 students. Chennai has about 400 students. “The demand for a berth at these schools are on the rise and we expect the same with its Kolkata counterpart. This is because people who are on the move and need to set up temporary base in eastern India will send their children to ASK. Thus, when they go to another country there is a parity in the syllabus,” said Jardine.
The Indian government however, will not allow Indian nationals to study in ASK and it will be limited to children holding foreign passports, a landed immigrant or those of comparable status. “If the government of India changes its policy, we would love to welcome Indian students at ASK. However, NRIs who come back to India for a brief period can also send their children to ASK,” said Jardine.
Indian teachers have a slim chance of becoming a faculty member at ASK. “The faculty positions are open to people of any nationality who have American certification or have worked in American schools,” he informed.
ASK will open with not more than 10 students and that too in the early elementary grades. As the demand increases, the school will grow in size to meet that demand. The school will start its operations from the US consulate office in the city and will be shifted to another address when expansion is required. The subjects will include, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and foreign languages. There will also be specialised classes in art, health, and music. The school later plans to offer International Baccalaureate diploma programmes to its students.
“We will adopt a student-centric approach of education, where, we will be encouraging students to correlate whatever they are learning with the real world. The teachers will just be the facilitators,” said Kathleen Dickinson Jardine, the teacher of ASK.
The fees of ASK will be higher compared to that of other schools offering an international curriculum in the city. The admission process has already begun and for additional information call 3984-2400 or email at ask@aes.ac.in.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Students to travel to other colleges to give exams
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, May 3, 2007
The students of all the private engineering and management colleges in the state will have to appear for their exams in some other private college from June. And they will have to make the trip twice a year, as there are 2 semesters in an academic year.
To begin with first and second year students are not being allotted home centres but in 6 months, from the next semester, students from the first and final years will also not be allotted home centres.
The West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT), to which all private engineering and management colleges in the state are affiliated, has taken this decision, which is to be implemented from the semester exams starting this June. The circular notifying colleges of this decision have been sent already.
Recruiters have often questioned the quality of graduates from private institutes, since they have been given home centres. The move by the university will definitely address this issue. The vice-chancellor of the university, A.R. Thakur, however refused to term this action of the university as a quality check on private engineering and management colleges in the state. “By not allowing home centres we are not trying to improve our quality. Instead, we are demonstrating the quality of the students. If the students study well then their results will not depend on their exam centre,” Thakur said.
Out of 105 private colleges in the state, 62 are engineering colleges and the rest offer management courses. To set the ball rolling, students of 80 private colleges will not get home centres. The university has allowed students of the remaining 25 colleges to appear for their exams in their own colleges due to the non-availability of a private college nearby. There are over 65,000 students studying in various colleges under WBUT, of which there are about 22,000 students studying in their first year.
But students of various private engineering colleges are agitated about the move. The authorities however, are no ready to listen to their objections. “Students will have to take the exam wherever they are asked to. If required, they will have to go to the moon to take the exam. They have no right to protest under any pretext. The transport system is good in the state and we are allotting seats by calculating its distance from the place where the students study,” said Thakur.
“If they wanted to implement such a decision, they should have given us some sort of notification, and not have done this just one month before the exams. Moreover, there are many students who travel over 50 km to reach his/her college and the examination centre may be further away from his/her home. What will he do?” asked an engineering student of college in Agarpara.
But WBUT is adamant about their decision. “If younger students appearing for the HS and Madhyamik can appear for their exam from a different school, then it should not be a problem for students who are doing their graduation. Appearing for exams at home centres is as good as taking it at home. If students of professional degree courses all over the country can do this, then it will not be a problem for anyone here,” said Thakur.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, May 3, 2007
The students of all the private engineering and management colleges in the state will have to appear for their exams in some other private college from June. And they will have to make the trip twice a year, as there are 2 semesters in an academic year.
To begin with first and second year students are not being allotted home centres but in 6 months, from the next semester, students from the first and final years will also not be allotted home centres.
The West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT), to which all private engineering and management colleges in the state are affiliated, has taken this decision, which is to be implemented from the semester exams starting this June. The circular notifying colleges of this decision have been sent already.
Recruiters have often questioned the quality of graduates from private institutes, since they have been given home centres. The move by the university will definitely address this issue. The vice-chancellor of the university, A.R. Thakur, however refused to term this action of the university as a quality check on private engineering and management colleges in the state. “By not allowing home centres we are not trying to improve our quality. Instead, we are demonstrating the quality of the students. If the students study well then their results will not depend on their exam centre,” Thakur said.
Out of 105 private colleges in the state, 62 are engineering colleges and the rest offer management courses. To set the ball rolling, students of 80 private colleges will not get home centres. The university has allowed students of the remaining 25 colleges to appear for their exams in their own colleges due to the non-availability of a private college nearby. There are over 65,000 students studying in various colleges under WBUT, of which there are about 22,000 students studying in their first year.
But students of various private engineering colleges are agitated about the move. The authorities however, are no ready to listen to their objections. “Students will have to take the exam wherever they are asked to. If required, they will have to go to the moon to take the exam. They have no right to protest under any pretext. The transport system is good in the state and we are allotting seats by calculating its distance from the place where the students study,” said Thakur.
“If they wanted to implement such a decision, they should have given us some sort of notification, and not have done this just one month before the exams. Moreover, there are many students who travel over 50 km to reach his/her college and the examination centre may be further away from his/her home. What will he do?” asked an engineering student of college in Agarpara.
But WBUT is adamant about their decision. “If younger students appearing for the HS and Madhyamik can appear for their exam from a different school, then it should not be a problem for students who are doing their graduation. Appearing for exams at home centres is as good as taking it at home. If students of professional degree courses all over the country can do this, then it will not be a problem for anyone here,” said Thakur.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Free ship for poor students in private engineer colleges
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, May 2, 2007
THE GOVERNMENT will make it mandatory for all private engineering colleges in the state to reserve seats for economically backward students. It wants 10 per cent of its seats free and another five per cent made available at half the normal fees.
To compensate for the revenue lost, the colleges will be allowed to introduce paid seats. It can charge higher fees for 10 per cent of its seats, which will be called the management quota. All three quotas will be introduced simultaneously.
Often, needy students pass WBJEE but don’t go for counselling because they cannot pay the tuition fee charged by private engineering colleges. The move is aimed at benefiting them, and the state hopes colleges will take the management quota bait.
“Private engineering colleges can introduce a management quota if they offer 10 per cent free seats to meritorious but economically backward students, and five per cent seats for the same category at half the tuition fees,” state higher education minister Sudarsan Roychoudhuri said, without specifying when the quotas would be introduced.
Insiders said the government would send circulars to all engineering colleges in the next five days. The West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT), which governs all 62 private engineering college in the state, has already received the circular.
“Though we are yet to make an official announcement regarding this, the matter has already been discussed at a very high-level meeting. If the higher education minister wants, it will be implemented from this academic session itself,” a government official said.
The management quota has already been introduced in state medical colleges. Though there were initial protests, well-to-do students, especially NRIs, are paying for such seats. At the private engineering colleges, students can get admitted under the quota after appearing for WBJEE.
The SFI had recently urged the state government to introduce a management quota in private engineering colleges. “Private engineering colleges anyways take in some students with donations. If we legalise this process then the colleges will make their money and will at the same time be in a position to offer free and subsidised seats to needy students,” said SFI state president Sudip Sengupta.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, May 2, 2007
THE GOVERNMENT will make it mandatory for all private engineering colleges in the state to reserve seats for economically backward students. It wants 10 per cent of its seats free and another five per cent made available at half the normal fees.
To compensate for the revenue lost, the colleges will be allowed to introduce paid seats. It can charge higher fees for 10 per cent of its seats, which will be called the management quota. All three quotas will be introduced simultaneously.
Often, needy students pass WBJEE but don’t go for counselling because they cannot pay the tuition fee charged by private engineering colleges. The move is aimed at benefiting them, and the state hopes colleges will take the management quota bait.
“Private engineering colleges can introduce a management quota if they offer 10 per cent free seats to meritorious but economically backward students, and five per cent seats for the same category at half the tuition fees,” state higher education minister Sudarsan Roychoudhuri said, without specifying when the quotas would be introduced.
Insiders said the government would send circulars to all engineering colleges in the next five days. The West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT), which governs all 62 private engineering college in the state, has already received the circular.
“Though we are yet to make an official announcement regarding this, the matter has already been discussed at a very high-level meeting. If the higher education minister wants, it will be implemented from this academic session itself,” a government official said.
The management quota has already been introduced in state medical colleges. Though there were initial protests, well-to-do students, especially NRIs, are paying for such seats. At the private engineering colleges, students can get admitted under the quota after appearing for WBJEE.
The SFI had recently urged the state government to introduce a management quota in private engineering colleges. “Private engineering colleges anyways take in some students with donations. If we legalise this process then the colleges will make their money and will at the same time be in a position to offer free and subsidised seats to needy students,” said SFI state president Sudip Sengupta.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
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