BU puts off 2nd round of PhD counselling after students protest admission norms

BU puts off 2nd round of PhD counselling after students protest admission norms

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:16.03.2021 

Bangalore University decided to put off the second round of PhD counselling after students protested against various norms followed for admission to PhD.

Hundreds of students staged a protest at Jnana Bharathi campus, seeking varied eligibility criteria for SCs, STs and OBCs. “The minimum marks eligibility should be 55% for general candidates, 50% for OBCs and 45% for SCs and STs. It’s 50% for everyone now,” said a student.

The students also demanded an increase in guideship — the number of students who could be guided by professors, assistant professors and associate professors. Currently, the ratio is 8, 6 and 4, respectively. The university should also allow senior professors to guide new PhD students, they said.

The students want the university to cancel the fourth semester PG students’ eligibility to apply for PhD. “In 2018, BU conducted an entrance test that allowed then fourth semester students to write the PhD eligibility entrance exam. No other university allows this,” they alleged. The students have also sought a hike in fellowship money from Rs 22,000 to Rs 25,000.

Vice-chancellor KR Venugopal said the norms followed by the university are as per the statute and any change would require an amendment. “We have called for a meeting with teachers, guides and deans on April 9 to discuss the issue. Once it is approved by them, it has to be sent to the government as it calls for an amendment of the statute...,” he said.

“According to UGC Regulations 2016, sections 2.1 and 2.2 give relaxation of 5% marks from 55% to 50% or an equivalent relaxation of grade for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer) / differently abled categories. The same has been adopted in BU PhD Regulations 2016,” he said. BU had called for PhD admissions in July 2019. As many as 3,737 candidates had applied for 764 seats. The second round of counselling is expected to see 1,400 students vie for 400 vacancies.

SEEKING CHANGE OF CRITERIA:

Bangalore University students hold placards spelling out their demands during a protest at Jnana Bharathi campus on Monday

BWSSB PROPOSES STP ON VARSITY CAMPUS

BWSSB has proposed to BU to set up a sewage treatment plant on its campus to treat water from Vrishabhavathi river flowing through its premises. The university is expected to discuss the matter at the upcoming syndicate meeting on March 24.

BWSSB has sought 12 acres of land for the project. “We have written to the vice-chancellor proposing the project. The treated water will be provided to the university,” said BC Gangadhar, chief engineer, BWSSB.

“It will be a Rs 150-200 crore project and will be extremely helpful for the university as we hope to get water and power from it, apart from having the river cleaned up,” said the BU VC.