SURAT, Aug 5: What do you expect when you reproduce the question paper in toto instead of writing answers? A big zero. That's exactly what a student of MSc (Chemistry) evening course, run by the Chemistry department of South Gujarat University, has got in one of the four papers.All 27 students of the evening course were declared failed on Monday leading to an uproar and a string of allegations that have embarrassed the university no bounds.While the student who had a big zero to show against his name is an exception, the others have alleged they were made a scapegoat in a plan aimed at closing down the course, which very few wanted in the first place.As many as 40 per cent students of even the regular course have failed but they have no ground to complain. The moment the result of the part-time course was announced, students were quick to point fingers at the vice-chancellor and the head of Chemistry department Dr K R Desai, who is also the co-ordinator for the evening course, for having ensured nil results.While both have refuted allegations, they have agreed to have the papers reassessed. Kapadia on Wednesday appointed a committee of examiners - other than those engaged by SGU - to assess the papers. The committee will be headed by Dr C M Desai.The examiners will scrutinise all four papers afresh and are expected to turn them in by August 12. Students, who observed a dharna, have put on hold their plans to intensify their agitation. Another consolation is the reassessment is free-of-cost.Students, most employed, claimed those failed include gold medalists at the Bachelor of Science level. Students dared the university to make public their answersheets to bear out their claim.Desai admits that two question papers were tough, but says students should have complained immediately after answering the papers. He claims he made all efforts to ensure they passed, but in vain. Being the co-ordinator he can give two grace marks each in all subjects or eight marks in one subject to help students clear the examination. However, despite the grace marks none could make the grade.Both Desai and Kapadia admit that the nil results are the culmination of a series of woes dogging the course ever since it kicked off one year ago.The course was started amidst protest by Desai, teachers and non-teaching staff, for it meant extra hours for a measly remuneration.The university's location, was another issue troubling the administration. Some thought the university's location, whose premises wear a deserted look as the evening wears on, would be a disadvantage for all, including outsiders.The only place, where it could have started outside the university campus due to its practical content was Science colleges having laboratory facilities. However, both colleges flatly refused.When the course did start after all these hiccups, the classes were held irregularly. Neither teachers nor students were serious about it till the time the examination was on. Just before that the Syndicate reduced the duration of the course from three to two years at the end of a yet another controversy.The committee headed by Dr C M Desai will also find out the number of teaching hours put in by all teachers put together. This will help the university fix the blame.Who is on the right side of truth will be known soon, lest the committee's report is not mired in yet another controversy.
