The A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) on Monday issued orders stopping classes at the TOMS College of Engineering, Mattakkara, with immediate effect.
This was the consequence of lengthy talks among a delegation of dozens of parents and students of the college, representatives of the Save Education Committee, and KTU Vice Chancellor Kuncheria P. Isaac here. Registrar G.P. Padmakumar was also present.
Parents adamant
According to a parent who took part in the discussions, the Vice Chancellor was initially hesitant to give in to the demand of the parents that classes at the college be stopped forthwith. “When he saw that we were adamant about it and when he realised that the university had no other go, he agreed to issue a stop memo,” the parent said.
The Vice Chancellor also agreed that he would write to the AICTE recommending immediate cancellation of affiliation to the college.
Initially, the parents demanded that their wards be shifted out to government engineering colleges. When KTU officials pointed out the difficulties in doing so, the parents agreed that all students of the college other than those in the Chemical Engineering branch would be allowed to be opt for government-controlled self-financing colleges under the CAPE and the IHRD.
On vacancies
The meeting decided that the Registrar would immediately provide details regarding vacancies in engineering colleges in the State where students from the college can opt to continue their study.
When parents pointed out that students of the Chemical Engineering branch (106 students in the first and second semesters) would have very few places to opt for, the Vice Chancellor agreed that he would write to the AICTE seeking permission to start an additional batch in chemical engineering at a college, possibly the Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, to accommodate those students. The KTU has promised the parents that it would get the AICTE to take a decision on this matter within 20 days.
Fee refund
On the question of getting refund of fee from the college, Dr. Isaac told the parents that the matter could only be decided by the Fee Regulatory Committee.
As such a delegation of parents is expected to meet the chairman of the committee R. Rajendrababu on Tuesday.
