Varsity hikes fine for copying by 10 times

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, APRIL 01, 2018 00:00 IST  THE HINDU

Says students could be debarred for a maximum of three years

The University of Madras has revised the fine amount from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000 for mass copying, Vice-Chancellor P. Duraisamy informed the Senate on Saturday.

“If the disciplinary committee on examination finds mass copying in any college based on the answer scripts or square visit, we will impose Rs. 50,000 fine on that college. Students will be debarred for a maximum of three years depending upon the severity of the offence,” he said. Senators wanted the institution to expedite the payment of remuneration to examiners. The members said the university paid the teachers three months after the examination was completed. “Even the results are out but the examiners have not received payment,” said a senator. University Vice-Chancellor P. Duraisamy said currently the examiners are paid within three months but the colleges said the exams were held in December and the results were declared in February. However, the payment had not been made till March.

Improvement panel

When some senators pointed out about the spurt in revaluation, he said the university planned to set up a committee to improve the valuation system by next academic year. The university has decided that henceforth a chief examiner would have seven evaluators under him, instead of five. Some senate members, however, said the older system of five examiners should be continued.

Foreign examiners

Professors complained that remuneration to foreign examiners for Ph.D. candidates had not been paid. The Vice-Chancellor said banks had issued a new rule requiring foreign examiners to provide passport and bank account details.

“Some are not willing to share these details, so we are unable to pay. We have decided to ask the foreign examiner if he or she is willing to share the details. If the person refuses, he or she will not be an examiner,” Mr. Duraisamy explained.

In a bid to resolve long-pending issues, the Vice-Chancellor said he proposed to have a joint meeting with the students, principals and college teachers, university teachers and its administrative staff in April-May. The meeting would discuss issues such as qualification approval for college teachers; Ph.D. relevance certificate for increments; recognition to guide M. Phil/Ph.D. students.

“I plan to set aside a day for walk-in meeting for teachers, students and staff,” Mr. Duraisamy said.

The university paid the teachers 3 months after exam was completedSenate member