Anna University officials to decide on arrear system in 10 days

Nearly 200 engineering students gathered outside Anna University Guindy campus on Friday to protest against the current arrears system which allows them to retake an exam only after a year’s time.

Published: 19th January 2019 03:36 AM 

Students allege that the situation is complicated as they are allowed to take only three arrears in one semester. | EPS

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Nearly 200 engineering students gathered outside Anna University Guindy campus on Friday to protest against the current arrears system which allows them to retake an exam only after a year’s time.
Students ended their protest after the Registrar J Kumar and other officials from the university promised to take action after consulting the committees concerned. They informed the students that they will upload any changes in the current system within 10 days.

As per the current regulations in place, a student who has failed in an exam during an odd or even semester can attend the arrear exam only in the next odd or even semester. Students said this rule which was introduced in 2017 is extremely problematic as they need to study for ongoing exams along with arrear exam portions at the same time.

According to the credit system in place, a student will not be able to attend more than three arrear exams in a year. “We don’t remember what was taught to us after a year. Also, we have to retake model exams, internal tests for that subject along with the main arrear exam. Even when we went for counselling in Anna University, they did not inform us about this change. If they had told us we would not have taken up engineering at all,” said Vignesh G, a student from an affiliated college.


Students from engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University staged similar protests across the State in Vellore, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore.

Though the practice of allowing students to write arrear exams after six months time is followed in other varsities like Madras University, officials from Anna University said a credit-based arrear system in place allows students to fare better in academics. “If students properly look up our website and go through our curriculum, they will understand that this is indeed beneficial for them. Individuals cannot take up any independent decision. UGC and AICTE members need to be consulted regarding this,” the Registrar said.

Odd or even semester
As per the current regulations, a student who has failed in an exam during an odd or even semester can attend the arrear exam only in the next odd or even semester

More than 200 students protest in Tiruchy

Tiruchy: Around 200 students staged a protest here on Friday against arrear system imposed by Anna University. “It is like taking the whole course again. This semester was unbearable, having to study for two more papers (in their case) every month for the internals,” said a SRM TRP Engineering College student. A teaching staff with the Anna University BIT campus said, “The amendment gives a shot to secure first class, even if they clear arrears after course completion. But these positive features may only be of use to bright students who failed due to unforeseen circumstances, not for someone actually finding subjects difficult and failed.”

Salem students picket collectorate

Salem: More than 100 students from various engineering colleges picketed Salem Collectorate against the new regulations of Anna University, pertaining to arrears. Speaking to media persons, the students said that the change will greatly affect their future. It does not even exempt those who are unable to write exams due to poor health conditions, they said, adding that students would not be able to complete their course within a period of four years. Police held peace talks with them and dispersed the crowd.

Arrears and results: All you need to know about Anna University students' protest

What is R2017 and why do students believe it is curbing their chance of finding jobs?

Published: 18th January 2019 02:56 PM 

Students allege that the situation is complicated as they are allowed to take only three arrears in one semester. | EPS
By Online Desk

More than 500 students gathered outside the Anna University (AU) campus in Chennai on Friday to protest and condemn its new regulation. Many of them were seen holding a placard that said BanR2017. It was also the most widely used hashtag on Twitter by students from AU or ones studying in colleges affiliated to AU. Furthermore, hundreds of students participated in the protests in various parts of the state, with the slogan 'BanR2017".

What does BanR2017 mean?

R2017 refers to the resolution passed by AU in 2017 which brought in some significant changes to the arrear system, the number of credits one can score in a semester etc. Though students have been very much against the regulation and have been vocal about wanting it removed, the semester exam results announced earlier this week added more fuel to the fire.

What is Regulation 2017?

Until the regulation came into play, if one fails in a subject this semester, he/she can appear for the same in the next semester. But this regulation prohibits one from doing that, and a student has to wait for one full year before appearing again for the failed subject.

In other words, a subject you failed in during the even semester can only be cleared during the next even semester only. This means students who are in their final year will have to wait one full year before they can clear their arrears and start looking for jobs. This move has added burden to engineering students for whom the job market is very weak, and has led to an increase in the unemployment rate.

Hundreds of #AnnaUniversity students across #TamilNadu are protesting against the university to ban the new arrear system, which allows them to retake exam only a year after. #banR2017 #Regulation2017 

Anna University students protest against new arrear system
The New Indian Express @NewIndianXpress


Condemning the new arrear system, hundreds of students are holding a statewide protest to ban the new rule.
Moments
16 people are talking about this



Besides, students also believe that waiting one full year before appearing for an exam also decreases their chances of clearing the paper, as they move on to other subjects in the new academic year.

The resolution has also brought in some changes to the number of credits one can avail during a particular semester. One subject usually carries 3-4 credits. Earlier, there were no restrictions on the number of credits one can acquire during the year. The new resolution allows a student only up to 36 credits per semester including both the current year and arrear papers.




For instance, if a student has six arrears, he or she may not be able to apply for more than three arrears in the semester, making it even more problematic for someone to finish their degree and graduate.

It is important to note that after the re-evaluation scam, AU has brought in stringent measures to prevent malpractices during the exam. Many students protesting also complained that strict evaluation practices adopted by the AU after the scam have contributed to the poor results.

Chennai woman knocked down by juvenile driver dies

A 55-year-old woman, who was knocked down by a car driven by a minor on Wednesday, succumbed to injuries on Friday.

Published: 19th January 2019 04:36 AM

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: A 55-year-old woman, who was knocked down by a car driven by a minor on Wednesday, succumbed to injuries on Friday. The incident happened at Royapuram. Four juveniles were on a fun trip in a car, borrowed by one of the boys’ from his mother, when they knocked down fish vendor V Nirmala.

The accident happened on East Kalmandapam Road on January 16. She was flung onto the road and sustained injuries. She had been admitted to Government Stanley Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, a police official said.

Kasimedu traffic investigation unit has registered a case. The car was driven by a 17-year-old schoolboy from Mannadi. Preliminary investigation revealed that his friend’s mother had borrowed the car from a woman in Bengaluru a few days prior to the accident.

The boys had taken the car out for a spin and wanted to just drive around the locality, according to a police statement. Police said they have booked the woman who borrowed the car. “She will be arrested once she returns from Bengaluru,” a police officer said.

Flight services suspended for over one hour on Friday (small but important)

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

BENGALURU, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Flight services suspended for an hour

For the second consecutive day, poor visibility led to suspension of flight operations on Friday at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Hundreds of passengers were stranded for hours at the airport, and the delay affected flight schedules. Operations were suspended from 5.44 a.m. to 6.49 a.m. hitting 45 departures and 21 arrivals. One cargo carrier was diverted to Chennai. A release from the BIAL stated that visibility standby was declared from 3.33 a.m. to 9.32 a.m. On Thursday, operations were suspended twice due to fog.

Varsity notice draws flak for ‘unreasonable restrictions’

Rishikesh Bahadur Desai

BELAGAVI, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

A file photo of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University.NONE

It prohibits boys from visiting girls in hostels

An order issued by Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University authorities in Bidar to ensure “discipline” among students by prohibiting boys from visiting girls in hostels or even moving around the city has caused a controversy.

The notice, issued by the chief warden, states that “many girl students are found along with boys paired in the evening hours” within the campus and in the city.

It says that this conveys “a wrong message” and will invite disciplinary action. “It is once again informed to students to maintain discipline and sanctity,” said the notice.

Copies of the notice have been widely shared on social media inviting comments that the university is placing “unreasonable restrictions” on students.

“This is outrageous,” wrote a former student on a social media platform run by veterinary graduates in government service. “Millennials are responsible and studious. They can not be punished for talking to friends or walking with girls. This should be withdrawn,” he said.

Shivasharan Yalagod, president of the Association of Government Veterinarians, also condemned the notice, saying the university had no power to impose reasonable restrictions or try to control students outside its campus.

However, Yashwant Kumar, director of student welfare, said: “This was done for the protection of students. Their protection and welfare is our responsibility. We don’t want the students, especially girls to get into trouble. That is why we are imposing these restrictions.”

He said that some time ago, some girls had gone for a walk on the Outer Ring Road that borders the Jamistanpur jungle near the college at around midnight and a police officer asked them to get back to college. “We don’t want any such incidents to recur. Hence the order,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor V. Narayan Swamy, admitted that the order sounded a bit harsh, but was not done with any bad intention.

“Our students are thinking adults and we cannot impose any unreasonable restrictions on them... I have spoken to senior officials about the order and there is no need for the students to panic. The order need not be construed as an unreasonable restriction,” he added.

Special trains for Thai Poosam

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Special trains for Thai Poosam

The Southern Railway has proposed to run express special train on Sunday (January 20) and Monday (January 21) between Madurai and Palani in view of Thai Poosam festival at Dhandayuthapani Swami Temple at Palani.

Madurai - Palani express special train will leave Madurai at 8.45 a.m. and reach Palani at 11.15 a.m. and in return direction, Palani - Madurai express special train will leave Palani at 8 p.m. and reach Madurai at 10.15 p.m. These trains will halt at Sholavandan, Kodaikanal Road, Dindigul and Oddanchatram, a statement said.

Train No. 56723/56722 Madurai - Rameswaram - Madurai passenger train will run upto Mandapam on Saturday instead of Ramanathapuram as announced earlier.

Submit applications for Amma Two-wheeler Scheme by Jan. 25

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

VIRUDHUNAGAR, JANUARY 19, 2019 00:00 IST

Applications seeking subsidy under Amma Two -wheeler Scheme for working women for the year 2018-19 should be submitted at the municipal, town panchayat and Block Development Offices by 5 p.m. on January 25 in person or through registered post. A release said that 2,790 beneficiaries -- 1,411 women in urban areas and 1,379 in rural areas -- in Virudhunagar would get subsidy of a maximum of Rs. 25,000 or 50% of the two-wheeler cost for the year 2018-19.

While 21% has been reserved for Adi Dravidas, 1% has been reserved for scheduled tribes and 4% for differently-abled.

Women working in organised and unorganised sectors, employed in shops and establishments, self employed women, Government aided and private organisations, social organisation, banking correspondents, banking facilitators and ASHA workers were eligible under the scheme.

The women, who have passed or failed in 8th class, in the age group of 18 to 40 years and have a valid driving licence and a family annual income of up to Rs. 2.50 lakh were eligible, the Collector, A. Sivagnanam, said in the statement.

Working women from remote areas without adequate transport facilities, tribes, from the poor families headed by women, destitute women, destitute widows, differently-abled women and unmarried women of 35 years and above, transgenders and Adi-Dravida women would get priority in getting the subsidy, the statement added.

Two-wheelers of 125 cc capacity without gear or auto-gear and manufactured after January 1, 2018 are eligible for the subsidy.

Applicants should submit copies of age proof, nativity certificate, driving licence, voter ID, house tax receipt and electricity connection receipt, income certificate from the employer and self-attested income certificate, certificate for educational qualification, Aadhar ard, passport-size photographs, proof for getting priority and quotation/pro forma invoice for two-wheeler.