The government has initiated a major drive to improve the academic standards of engineering education in the State and to restructure the Kerala Technological University by making KTU’s affairs more participatory and with better representation of students, Education Minister C. Ravindranath said in the Assembly on Monday.
Replying to the discussion on the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (Amendment Bill), he said the amendments focussed on bringing in major structural changes in the KTU, which will pave the way for improved academic standards.
More role for students
The government intended to improve the representation of students, women and SC/ST students on KTU’s academic council, so that students will have more say in the academic decisions. The Board of Governors with increased student representation and a new Board of Studies to look into syllabus revision were also proposed.
The executive committee of the KTU will have representation from all government, aided, and government-controlled and self-financing institutions, in that preferential order.
The proposed Bill of amendment to the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act, 2015 had been brought in after issues dogging the KTU had been brought to the government’s attention. Though it has been three years since the KTU was set up, it is yet to have even a headquarters. Mr. Ravindranath said land had been identified at Vilappilsala for setting up a KTU headquarter building.
Those who participated in the discussions on the Bill included Abid Husain Thangal, T.V. Rajesh, Sunny Joseph, and K.N.A. Khader. The Assembly approved the decision to send the Bill to the subject committee.