Students’ protest continues at CEPT varsity

The course that had been introduced in 2011,had been under the scanner for not having secured the mandatory All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) approval. Further,owing to its duration being five years,it is also not recognised by the Institute of Town Planners,a body that gives accredations to practising planners. Failure to secure the required approvals,led the CEPT authorities to change the course to Urban Design,and thereby,inviting the wrath of the B Plan students who protested the move starting Thursday.

Students not only boycotted classes but also flooded the institute with posters and banners about the reported injustice meted out to them.

On Saturday,students demanded a written reply from the authorities on the status of their course,but no decisions were intimated to them. While the Director was unavailable for comment,the Registrar of the university,Anita Hiranandani,said,“We were to hold a meeting to discuss the demands of the students and arrive at some decision,but it has not been held as yet. As of now,no decision has been taken with regards the B Plan students.”

“On Friday,following our protests Director Bimal Patel,along with Dean of Faculty of Planning Darshini Mahadevia and several other faculty members,met us. We were verbally informed by the Director that we can opt for an integrated Masters course. He said that by extending the UG course by one more year,we will get admissions to Masters level directly and that we can secure a Masters degree that has both AICTE and ITPI approval. Having received this assurance verbally from the Director,we now want it in writing,” said a third-year student.