Varsity extends ordinance on ATKT

MUMBAI, SEPT 4: Following sustained protests from engineering students, the University of Mumbai has decided to extend a transitory ordin...

MUMBAI, SEPT 4: Following sustained protests from engineering students, the University of Mumbai has decided to extend a transitory ordinance on Allowed To Keep Term ATKT rules, originally meant only for the last academic year.The ordinance, UG/34, has been extended for the academic year 1999-2000 as well, Vice-Chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh told The Indian Express.

Under the ordinance, students 8220;inappropriately admitted to semester V or VII, and who have been permitted to attend lectures/practicals/project work and have done so to the satisfaction of teachers and principals will not have to repeat these semesters.8221; At the same time, the students will be allowed to appear for the examination only after they become eligible for the same 8212; that is, after clearing their backlog as required.

Explaining why the students were given an extension of this facility, Dr Deshmukh said that several engineering college authorities had admitted students in V or VII semesters without following the rules.The students, therefore, had attended lectures and completed their project work, though they were ineligible to do so in the first place. Moreover, the same situation had arisen last year as well, with students demanding that they should not face an year8217;s drop as they had already completed the term work.

The university, just like last year, as relented this time as well. However, Dr Deshmukh says: 8220;We cannot continue extending the facility every year. Therefore, we are going to issue a strict warning to all engineering college principals about the matter.8221;

Further, a four-member committee has been appointed to suggest long-term solutions to the ills plaguing the engineering facility. The report will be submitted within a month.

National Students8217; Union of India NSUI activists had held a protest on Friday seeking the extension of the ordinance. The demonstrators are also believed to have damaged university property.

A university official said the students punctured the tyres of the registrar8217;svehicle as well as that of a vehicle belonging to the department for the extra mural studies. The V-C refused to comment on the matter, only saying that she is 8220;awaiting the security8217;s report8221;.