At tech varsity,optometry students threaten protest

On Friday,around 20 to 30 students even gheraoed the vice-chancellor of WBUT till late evening and put forth three main demands: to bring the course syllabus under the purview of West Bengal University of Health Sciences,to make it recognised in the medical field,and the university should provide for internships and rights to practise.

According to the university officials,in 2001 it was inadvertently said that those getting the optometry degree or diploma would be able to practice. However,it was later clarified and the students were informed that they would not be able to do so in 2006.

“These students are suffering and we understand that. The problem is difficult to be resolved by the university alone. There is also the problem of no recognised council where the students could go,” said Sabyasachi Sengupta,V-C of the WBUT.

According to the members of the Graduate Optometry Associations,unless the authorities meet the demands,they are determined to go in for largescale protests.

Sengupta said they have held a meeting with the state Health department urging them to approve the course. However,he is still waiting for the recommendations,which have been forwarded to higher education and university level.

“Some experts in the health ministry can reach out to the students and resolve the crisis,” said the V-C. However,university authorities claim the students having four-year degree or the diploma course can practise freely in private facilities.