Merger of Anna Universities hailed by college principals

The process of merger started last year when the State government withdrew the financial powers of the local universities

Principals of engineering colleges here have expressed happiness and relief over the State government’s announcement making Anna University a single affiliating university for engineering colleges all over the State.

“The present AIADMK Government’s policy decision to merge the five Anna Universities of Technology with Anna University, Chennai, has been welcomed by all affiliated colleges due to the perceived fall in standards of the newly created universities,” according to a principal.

Though the formal announcement has been made a bit late, the process of merger started last year when the State government withdrew the financial powers of the local universities.

“But, continuance of the Vice-Chancellors in their posts complicated administrative matters.

Quality can be ensured

Now that the announcement has been made, quality could be ensured through uniformity in the syllabus,” said another principal, exuding hope that the zonal offices will function effectively to rectify administrative shortcomings.

However, there is still no clarity on the future of non-teaching staff in the AUTs.

A majority among the qualified candidates appointed under contract system, hope that the government will retain their postings when the proposed zonal offices take shape in Tiruchi, Tirunelveli, Madurai, and Coimbatore.