Students of NIFT- Chennai, who have been protesting since Monday against a “steep” fee hike, have resumed attending classes from Thursday.
They will be on a “silent protest” until they hear of the outcome of a meeting in NIFT-Delhi scheduled for Saturday. The meeting, convened by the Director General of NIFT, would discuss the fee hike. “We hope to hear of a favourable outcome on Monday,” a student said.
Students on Monday had joined their counterparts in other NIFT centres to protest against a fee hike which was applicable, not just to new admissions, but also existing students. Students complained that the hike would make the course unaffordable for many, as they also had to purchase additional material for their many projects.
Meanwhile, students said that they had decided against filling forms made available to them on Tuesday seeking details about land and property owned by parents, the make of the vehicles they own, guardian’s name and annual income, education subsidy availed from NIFT among other details, in case they were in need of financial assistance. An official said that the form was the same as that given to students seeking educational subsidy at the time of admission. However, a student said that the offer of financial assistance could not conceal the fact that the fee hike for existing students was highly unjust. “It will be a huge financial strain for most, besides, there are several stringent criteria to be eligible for financial assistance,” the student said.
Officials said that the difference would be between Rs. 8,750 and Rs.18,750 depending on which year the student is in as comparison had to be made to the previous years’ odd semester fee.
