For the first time, the students of integrated courses in Andhra University College of Engineering (AUCOE) boycotted the final examinations, on Wednesday, demanding immediate solutions to their problems.
According to a senior professor on the campus, this was probably for the first time in the 90-year history of the university that students had gone to the extent of boycotting the final examinations.
The basic issue raised by the students was clarity on the exit options, which was highlighted by The Hindu published on April 5.
The students pointed out that the university administration had said that only candidates who had cleared all the examinations could avail the exit option and was not clear about those who have backlogs.
Promotion to 5th year
Clearing the air on Wednesday, Andhra University Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) E.A. Narayana said, “Those who have cleared all subjects till the fourth year can avail the exit option and go out with a B.Tech degree or move to the two-year M.Tech course, if they desire. Those who have backlogs will be promoted to the fifth and sixth years for M.Tech, as part of the 4 plus 2 option, but will be given the B. Tech and M. Tech degree only when they pass all the papers, including the backlogs.” “Over 80 per cent of the syllabus is pending and the teaching is taken care of by research scholars who are not up to the mark. We hardly have 10 per cent of class work of the total prescribed hours,” said Surya a fourth-year student.
Vice-chancellor’s solution
Countering the allegations, a senior professor said that the classwork does happen but the students are irregular. To which Teja a student of the CSE said that he has 95 per cent attendance and yet has over 20 backlogs.
After giving a patient hearing to the students, Prof. Narayana said that class work and quality of teaching will be looked into and resolved in the next 10 days and to assist the students in clearing the backlogs, special examinations, revaluation of papers and special classes for slow learners will be taken up on war footing. “I have already held a meeting and informed the HoDs,” he informed The Hindu .
