No exam dates, VTU students say time running out at foreign univs

No exam dates, VTU students say time running out at foreign univs

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:30.06.2021

With no clarity on the exam dates for final-year students of Visvesvaraya Technological University, engineering students aspiring to pursue their masters abroad are in a fix as the new academic year begins in many countries in August-September.

While many universities have given conditional offers based on semester marks, some students still need the final semester marks. “The exam schedule has been the primary concern since the whole process of studying abroad has already started. Every decision is coming down to the last minute because of the delay in exams,” said a VTU student who has an offer from University of Birmingham. “A lot of universities abroad are also not able to help because the schedule is not even out yet. Only the first internals have been conducted so far. There are two more to go in addition to seminars, project reports and internship reports.”

Rama N, mother of a student who wants to pursue studies abroad, said: “Without the graduation certificate, admission confirmation and visa-processing becomes difficult. Visas take a long time now, even otherwise. With this delay, students will not be able to attend classes on time. Students who have taken education loan will suffer.”

Firms extend joining date

Manu (name changed) said: “I wanted to study in Australia. The classes were starting from July 26. I was unable to get documents on time. Now, I am joining University of Massachusetts, Lowell, where I have to submit them before the completion of first semester,” said Manu, who had applied for markscard extract on May 19.

“This uncertainty and ambiguity may delay travel plans in a situation where huge amounts of money will have to be spent on flight charges and accommodation that run on first come, first served basis. We cannot proceed in these matters until our university provides a schedule,” he said.

“Several companies have been considerate in extending their joining date. Some of them have also said they could give leave before the exams. But I have been requesting firms to extend the date as students will not be able to put in their best at work or in their exams,” said Savitha Rani M, head, training and placement department, at Ramaiah Institute of Technology.

“Some have started working virtually. The firms had onboarded them as paid interns and after the exams, they will be taken as full-time staff,” said Usha Rani, placement officer at Cambridge Institute of Technology.

First, we need nod from govt to reopen colleges. We’re hoping to have exams by July-end and results by mid-August. We’re aware of students’ conditions and hope to complete it soon. All colleges have started vaccination drives and are progressing very well… As for placements, we have requested companies to postpone the joining dates

Karisiddappa VTU V-C