The Hindu : Front Page : Anna University planning major examination reforms

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Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005

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Anna University planning major examination reforms

Special Correspondent

Changes will come into effect in the next semester for second year students

CHENNAI: : Fifty per cent of questions in Anna University's semester examinations will be of objective type and only the rest will demand descriptive answers from engineering students.

This change will be part of a comprehensive examination reform, which will start next semester for second year students, Vice-Chancellor D. Viswanathan said on Monday.

Interacting with chairpersons and principals of affiliated engineering colleges, he said the university received complaints about question papers and the evaluation system in the previous examinations.

Variation in standards

Earlier, the colleges' management representatives highlighted the variation in standards between the time they were under regional universities and after coming under Anna University. After revaluation, several students improved their marks.

Explaining the reforms he was seeking to set in place, Prof. Viswanathan told presspersons: "Examination reforms are required and they should be based on problems experienced (by all sides)... Issues such as question papers, syllabus, valuation system and revaluations all need to be looked into.

"Already we have formed committees to take up administrative, financial management, academic and examination reforms. The 10-member examination reforms committee will submit its recommendations in a few weeks, and based on the recommendations, the reforms will start." With 50 per cent of the question paper in objective-type, it can reduce the complaints, as these questions would be computer-evaluated, and there would be little human intervention.

Noting that the colleges were concerned about the high cost of infrastructure, and how changes in the syllabus led to rapid obsolescence, he said the university was negotiating with software manufacturers for getting licensed software that could be shared at a nominal cost by all 230 colleges. It would also consider a suggestion that half a dozen regional or zonal centres be created in different parts of the State.

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