V-C Sobti rules out promulgation of Section 144 inside PU campus

Meanwhile,the Syndicate approved implementation of the semester system in all courses at the post-graduate level in all the affiliated colleges,including the courses being pursued privately from the next academic session (2011-2012). A committee of college teachers and principals would work out the modalities. In addition to this,all the remaining courses in the University where there was still an annual system including the Department of Evening Studies,courses of the University School of Open Learning would now have a semester system.

With the latest decision of the PU Syndicate meeting held today,anybody whose PhD is pending,irrespective of the number of years,now has an opportunity to complete it. He can submit his thesis to the concerned department till December 31,2011. Another student-friendly decision that was taken by the Syndicate was pertaining to the time period within which one can apply for re-evaluation. The stipulated maximum time period has been extended from 21 days to 90 days from the result of that particular subject being declared. For this,three slabs has been created for each month with an increasing re-evaluation fee.

Another decision taken today is an annual increase in the remuneration rates to evaluators and paper setters. There was a demand by the Syndicate members to increase the conveyance allowance too. Two UMC committees with retired High Court judges as chairpersons and two Syndicate and Senate members each were constituted. The committee under the chairmanship of G K Chatrath to revise the UMC rules has been asked to review the guidelines and suggest appropriate amendments.

As PU does not have any guidelines to deal with cases of plagiarism,the V-C announced that opinion from experts outside the University would be sought. So far,no guidelines has been discussed or adopted.

From now on,PU students will be heard singing their own anthem. Among the two short-listed entries for the competition announced for the anthem,the one by Hindi Department alumnus Irshad Kamil,was selected. The other shortlisted entry was from the Chairperson of the University Department of Music,Prof Pankaj Mala Sharma.

Kamil would be honoured with a cash prize of Rs 50,000. Prof Pankaj Mala’s was a live presentation while Kamil played a recorded composition. Both were personally present when the entries focused on the slogan of the University,ie Tamso Ma Jyotirgmaya,were played to the members of the Syndicate and concerned committee.

Syndicate decisions

* Semester system for all PG courses in affiliated colleges from 2011-12

* ‘Golden’ chance to finish pending PhDs

* Re-evaluation application period extended from 21 to 90 days

* Evaluators’ remuneration up 10%

* Two UMC committees formed

* Outside experts’ opinion to be sought on plagiarism cases

* PU’s own anthem to be released on May 20