Nagpur University students' council polls from Sept 29

Nagpur University students' council polls from Sept 29

Director of social welfare Arun Patil informed that the procedure for formation of the council would kick-start from September 29 in over 800 NU colleges. On October 4, the respective Students' Council secretaries will be selected through unanimous voting procedures. Patil will later decide the dates for the selection of president of the council body. The government had made announcement regarding ban on students' council elections in February.

With this comeback of the polls, each section of colleges affiliated to the university will select their respective class representatives (CRs). The second important phase of selection of university representatives (URs) will be conducted in the subsequent days in individual colleges. The URs will be selected from CRs by principals and teachers of the respective colleges. Colleges falling under university jurisdiction across six districts are eligible to participate in the process. Among all colleges, 15 institutes will be selected for final polls by the university officials. Candidates are elected annually on the basis of their academic performance. The other details about this provision and its functions are available on www.nagpuruniversity.org.

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NU forms anti-ragging cell

NU vice-chancellor Vilas Sapkal finally took the much-awaited step and constituted an anti-ragging committee on Friday. to curb the menace.

The body will be led by lecturer Devendra Mohture from Anna Gundewar College. Head of psychology department, LAD College R Kubhalkar and senate member Ritesh Ganar will be the members while Arun Patil, director of social welfare, will be the secretary of the panel.

Welcome applications for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University

The committee which selects the Vice-Chancellors is called ‘search committee’ and is supposed to search for a suitable person for appointment as Vice-Chancellor. The committee, constituted under section 12 of Maharashtra Universities Act, seeks résumé of persons who are suitable for holding the highest position in a university. The entire process is carried out under the instructions of the Chancellor.

Entry of politicians in the field of education has also had its impact on the selection process. Earlier, only academicians of repute were considered for appointment as Vice-Chancellors. In the last two decades, it has become more of a political appointment. Although the political influences were evident during this period, the entire process was being carried out through the office of the Chancellor.

This time, the Maharashtra Government has issued a notification on Saturday inviting details of the persons for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

Issuance of such a notification itself is against the spirit of selection of the Vice- Chancellor. As the appointing authority is the Chancellor, it is he who interviews the individuals recommended by the screening committee. He has full authority to select one of the persons recommended by the screening committee or even reject all the recommended names.

The government appears to have robbed these powers from the Chancellor and has invited applications from individuals for the V-C’s post. The committee has only one representative of the Higher and Technical Education Department. This nominee influencing the selection process has been made public by issuing the notification.

The notification says that names may be ‘suggested’ for nomination as Vice-Chancellor. As majority of engineering and medical colleges are owned by ministers and influential political persons, the selection of a Vice-Chancellor cannot be said to be done keeping academic interest of the university and the society.

The sources have informed that the Chancellor Mohammad Fazal has called a meeting of the screening committee on December 1. The committee has invited ‘suggestions’ before November 29. The committee is likely to recommend three names to the Chancellor from among whom one will be selected as Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University.

The selection gains more importance after the exposé of bogus marksheet and degree scandal. The enquiry in the scandal has not yet been completed. It is suspected that several bigwigs are involved in the scandal directly or indirectly.

Nagpur University's (NU) : board of studies (BoS) elections refuses to die, various factions have started campaigning for the polls

According to NU observers, the main fight would be between Secular Panel led by Dr Ved Prakash Mishra and Young Teachers' Association (YTA) of Baban Taywade. Though a new entrant in NU politics, Secular Panel had convincingly won the senate elections held in January by outsmarting other heavyweights who had a stronghold over the university politics including Shikshan Manch and Nagpur University Teachers Association ( NUTA).

This time, however, NU watchers believe YTA has an upper hand in the polls which would be held for 73 boards across nine faculties. The counting would be done on April 20 at 73 polling centres. In fact, on many boards, candidates have already been elected unopposed. Registrar Mahesh Yenkie, who is returning officer for the polls, has already ruled out any deferment of the polls date against the backdrop of various controversies that rocked the process.

One of them also saw resignation by assistant returning officer Vilas Ramteke who cited blackmailing and threats by faction leaders following his recommendation to disqualify some candidates. PRO Sanjay Bahekar will now assist Yenkie after Ramteke was relieved of his election duties. The polls have already been delayed much beyond schedule. Unless the BoS are constituted, none of the statutory bodies could be set up. Even deans could not be appointed and research recognition committees for awarding PhDs could not be set up. The delay has already compounded many problems not only for the NU but also for the students' community as they are suffering unnecessarily.

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), the only NIT in Maharashtra, is no exception when it comes to dragging its feet in taking action

A notice dated January 12 pasted on the college notice board issued by officiating VNIT director Chintamani Moghe has barred ten students including, Jayant Kumar and Niraj Sawarna, the two complainants in ragging case, from taking part in training and placement programme until further orders. The director couldn't be contacted on his mobile and office landline for comments.

Kumar and Sawarna had lodged a police complaint of ragging in spite of intense pressure from their lecturers not to do so, sources said. The action has spelt doom for students' future prospects. These students were also prohibited from holding any post in the students council or other organising committees of any technical or cultural event. They have also been asked to give an undertaking that any act of indiscipline on their part will make them liable for disciplinary action including cancellation of registration in the institute. They were also directed to stay away from the hostel. The notice cautioned that their behaviour and activities would be under a close watch and any act of indiscipline would lead to stringent action. Apart from complainants, the college management has acted against Abhimanyu Singh, Ritesh Kumar, Gyaneshwar Kazi, Vivek Kumar, Divyesh Upadhyay, Shubham Verma, Prashant Kumar Das, Shwetank Pandey and Anthony Singh -- all third year students-- who saved the victims from further thrashing. Both Kumar and Sawarna were not available for comments. The same notice was handed over to the accused students also. Those six students were served with the notice on January 14, which too is in possession of TOI, only after the victim students protested. This notice clearly mentioned that the accused had beaten and manhandled Kumar and Sawarna on the night of January 4-5 in the post-graduate hostel. After the incident which reportedly took place in front of VNIT staff including lecturers, the accused were served with show-cause notice on January 11. After considering their reply, their hostel facility was permanently withdrawn and they were asked to vacate their rooms with their belongings within 36 hours. The notice warned the accused that intimating about their alleged misdeeds to the organisation in which they were placed was deferred presently but will continue to remain under consideration. It also warned that any further act of violation of rules, they will be liable for permanent cancellation of their registration. Ironically, VNIT then cancelled registration of only one candidate - Tanay Mahajan - while others went scot free. The Ambazari police last Thursday arrested six students for alleged ragging under Section 4 of Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1999, and they were also charged with physical assault and threatening the victims under Sections 323, 504, and 109 read with 34 of IPC. They include Abhishek Mishra, Pranav Dikshit, Gauravdip Chakraborty, Pallav Jha, and Ankit Chhabra apart from Mahajan.

Selection of Vice-Chancellor Nagpur University

The committee which selects the Vice-Chancellors is called ‘search committee’ and is supposed to search for a suitable person for appointment as Vice-Chancellor. The committee, constituted under section 12 of Maharashtra Universities Act, seeks résumé of persons who are suitable for holding the highest position in a university. The entire process is carried out under the instructions of the Chancellor.

Entry of politicians in the field of education has also had its impact on the selection process. Earlier, only academicians of repute were considered for appointment as Vice-Chancellors. In the last two decades, it has become more of a political appointment. Although the political influences were evident during this period, the entire process was being carried out through the office of the Chancellor.

This time, the Maharashtra Government has issued a notification on Saturday inviting details of the persons for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

Issuance of such a notification itself is against the spirit of selection of the Vice- Chancellor. As the appointing authority is the Chancellor, it is he who interviews the individuals recommended by the screening committee. He has full authority to select one of the persons recommended by the screening committee or even reject all the recommended names.

The government appears to have robbed these powers from the Chancellor and has invited applications from individuals for the V-C’s post. The committee has only one representative of the Higher and Technical Education Department. This nominee influencing the selection process has been made public by issuing the notification.

The notification says that names may be ‘suggested’ for nomination as Vice-Chancellor. As majority of engineering and medical colleges are owned by ministers and influential political persons, the selection of a Vice-Chancellor cannot be said to be done keeping academic interest of the university and the society.

The sources have informed that the Chancellor Mohammad Fazal has called a meeting of the screening committee on December 1. The committee has invited ‘suggestions’ before November 29. The committee is likely to recommend three names to the Chancellor from among whom one will be selected as Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University.

The selection gains more importance after the exposé of bogus marksheet and degree scandal. The enquiry in the scandal has not yet been completed. It is suspected that several bigwigs are involved in the scandal directly or indirectly.

Nagpur University Botany paper leaked in Gondia

 All efforts by Nagpur University  (NU) management to conceal the fact that B.Sc Part II botany II paper was mistakenly distributed to the students on October 3 when it was actually scheduled for Saturday. The students who appeared for the exam revealed the fact defeating NU's efforts to keep the blunder under wraps.

The officer incharge of the centre Prof HA Pardhi has been imposed a fine of 1 lakh for the lapse and has been replaced by Prof Sandhya Mishra.

According to the information given by the students, the blunder occurred at the NMD College which is one of the centres for the ongoing supplementary examination conducted by NU. The students were stunned to find botany II question paper when they were scheduled to appear for botany I paper on October 3. Since Prof Pardhi is a lecturer with arts faculty he failed to realize the blunder immediately. However, there was total confusion when students brought the fact to his notice.

Later, question paper I was distributed to the students. However, the matter was reported to College principal Yogesh Nasre who immediately contacted the incharge of examination. After consultations Prof Pardhi was replaced by Prof Mishra.

Such incidents not only impose extra financial burden on the university considering the cost in setting and printing of a fresh question paper, but also brings disrepute to the university. NU authorities have decided to recover this cost from Prof Pardhi. Meanwhile, Prof Nasre too confessed about the paper leak incident.

The main question was about the cost of the paper II of BSc which had to be set again, printed and distributed to the students plus the disciplinary action against the persons responsible for this blunder which would certainly bring disrepute to the university. Summarily rough cost of the printing and distribution etc. of rupees one lack was reported to have been decided to recover from prof. Pardhi.

Although the management of the collage is tight lipped about this incident principal Nasre has confessed that the above paper was leaked.

Two minor girls meet watery grave

Two minor girls from village Dhannitola (Keshori), under Arjuni Motgaon Tehsil, drowned in the village tank on Thursday afternoon. The two girls— Manda Shindrale(11) of Dhaannitola and Champa Khobe(14)— had gone to the tank to wash their clothes.

After washing clothes, Manda entered the tank to take bath and lost balance. When she started screaming for help, Champa jumped into the tank to save her friend. However, she failed to rescue Manda. Both the girls met watery grave.

Cultivator commits suicide

Tribal cultivator Tikaram Pandhare (42), resident of village Nawegaon Bhonde in Arjuni Morgaon tehsil, committed suicide by consuming pesticides on Thursday. He took the extreme step as he was unable to pay the agriculture loan.

According to sources, Tikaram owed over 8,000 in addition to some debt from private money lender.

Nagpur Universwity Exam delays pile up MBA students misery

 The sufferings of MBA students seem to be unending. Both, the Maharashtra government and the Nagpur University, have made a mockery of management education, leading to severe deterioration in quality and decline in its popularity all over the state. NU has now suddenly postponed the semester exams by at least a month, just like last year. As per NU sources, the exam would probably start from December second week and end by January-end.

This means the students would probably be left with no time for the next exam. Sources said that due to such mismanagement, most MBA colleges are finding it hard to fill up even half their seats, forcing the government to do away with the entrance exam, so that colleges run by politicians and bureaucrats get enough students. Officiating registrar and controller of examinations (CoE) Debendranath Mishra confirmed that the exam will not be conducted at the usual time, as summer results were delayed. "The problem lies with only first and fourth semesters, as their results were released recently. It will take time to reconduct the exam as first we have to give some time to the failed students to fill up supplementary forms and then allocate centres. Moreover, questions papers of as many as 96 subjects including optionals have to be drafted, which is an arduous task. The shortage of approved teachers is another reason," he said.

he CoE said that the 'visionaries' who drafted the syllabus and introduced as many as 96 options should be blamed for the delay. Pro-VC Arvind Chaudhari, on the other hand, asserted that the timetable has not been changed and all exams will be held on time. The head of the management department of a renowned college told TOI that the exams were slated to be conducted from November last week. "Now, if the exam is starting in mid-December, students will be left with very little time to prepare for next semester exams. Also, the exams stretch over three months, leading to literal harassment for students," he said.

Read more: Exam delays pile up MBA students' misery - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Exam-delays-pile-up-MBA-students-misery/articleshow/6745573.cms#ixzz12R1oMhVN

Reprieve for PhD, MPhil holders at Nagpur University RTMNU

The last meeting of Nagpur University management council has provided a reprieve to PhD/MPhil holders at least for this year. The meeting granted status quo on the vexed issue of providing equivalence to the PhD candidates with NET/SET holders.

According to reliable sources, the department of higher and technical education has written to the vicechancellor SN Pathan asking him to end the relaxation granted to PhD/MPhil holder from appearing in the tough eligibility exams for getting permanent teaching jobs in university or affiliated colleges. The relaxation was granted as per UGC’s directives of June 21 last year.

The mysterious letter by the government mentioned that the it had notified all approvals given to PhD/MPhil candidates as "illegal" and these should be annulled within 10 days. However, council members led by Dr Ved Prakash Mishra lodged a strong protest and pointed out inconsistencies in the letter.

The VC then constituted a panel under Dr Mishra with Keshav Bhandarkar and Kalpana Jadhav as members to allow around 2,000 sq ft space for expansion in the campus was discussed. It was decided that the university would construct the premises and give it on lease to the bank. The council congratulated outgoing VC Pathan for successful completion of his five year tenure on a resolution moved by Dr Mishra. After Tuesday’s meeting, the members will gather for a joint meeting with academic council for selection of a nominee on VC’s selection panel on July 12.

Before that a meeting of standing committee for selecting members of medical and Ayurveda faculties and the academic council will be held on July 9. The term of all university bodies including academic and management councils along with senate will expire on August 31 paving way for selection of new members. study the letter’s contents. The committee will first draft a reply that will be dispatched it to the government after discussion in council.

The council also passed the proposal of starting molecular biology department from current session along with a post graduate commerce department. There was some dispute over total intake and chargeable fees for starting MSc molecular biology but the members moved a resolution authorising VC to finalise those in consultation with deans. Anant Deshmukh was named coordinator for setting up the MCom department.

Blind scholar, guided by blind teacher, gets PhD

Who is blind since birth, this was one of his life's best moments. He was awarded PhD in law during the 97th convocation ceremony of Nagpur University on Saturday. Interestingly, Jain's guide was head of law department Shirish Deshpande, who is also blind.

This is perhaps for the first time in the country that a blind guide successfully guided a blind scholar. Jain is only the third visually impaired teacher in the university after DW Wadegoankar and Shirish Deshpande. Jain pursued his schooling from a school for blind and also studied at National Institute for Visually Impaired in Dehradun. He, however, pursued further education from regular colleges.

“My friends, teachers and some members of RSS helped me by being my readers. In those days, all material was not available in Braille and there wasn't any technology,” he said. The subject of his thesis was ‘Taking women seriously – A critical inquiry into the changing parameters of judicial review and perspectives on protection and enforcement of rights of women with special reference to the Constitution of India'.

Jain was earlier rejected by Pune University after he applied for the post of a teacher. Not deterred by the disappointment, he bounced back by getting a teacher's job at the ILS law College in Pune. Sanjay met his wife Suleshi, who has normal vision, when she was a student at Nagpur University. They have a son named Sagar.

Nagpur University stops admissions to 353 headless colleges in Nagpur?

As decalred earlier, the Nagpur University late on Monday uploaded on its website the list of colleges that have not yet appointed full time principals. The university has published a list of 353 colleges and cautioned the students against taking admission in them. It includes many renowned colleges including those from Raisoni and Meghe groups.

The university has stopped their admission from the academic year (2010-2011) and asked them not to admit any student. The university has told them that if they admitted students without university’s permission, it would purely be their responsibility and they would have to face the consequences. Nagpur University vice-chancellor SN Pathan last Tuesday had announced that the list of colleges failing to appoint regular principals/lecturers would be published before June 7. With the list elusive for much of the day, Pathan said process was underway. Pressed further, he told

TOI to contact registrar for details. The acting registrar Debendranath Mishra was on a month-long leave and had handed over the charge to former board of college and university development (BCUD) director AD Chaudhari. Sources said, a majority of defaulting colleges belonged to politicians and other influential persons and therefore the university was under pressure not to release the names. In fact, the university officials were awaiting green signal from the government to release. It was finally released on website. While addressing the press on the eve of university’s 97th convocation, Pathan had declared that university would strictly abide by high court orders to take action against colleges that fail to appoint full time teaching staff before May 31.

He had also announced that a list of such institutions would be supplied to the media as directed by the HC. Reliable sources disclosed that university had indentified over 450 colleges who had not acted despite several warnings. As per the university’s statement, published by CBUD director (Acting) A M Khurad, the list was not exhaustive and subject to correction. Publishing the names was the first step to prevent ad-hocism in Maharashtra’s colleges which is severely affecting quality of higher education with students being the biggest sufferers.

Appellant hopes NU will mend ways

Nagpur University's provice chancellor GS Parasher and acting registrar Debendranath Mishra have been summoned by the state information commission on Friday. According to secretary of Civil Human Rights Protection Association Prakash Bansod, the SIC bench had heard six appeals by him on February 18.

These appeals were in regard to the inability of the university to follow the proper course of law on his queries relating to examination work under RTI Act. The commission then directed the university to give a hearing to the appellant. The pro-VC, as the first appellate officer, directly gave a ruling on the appeals without giving Bansod a hearing.

This was against the principles of natural justice and did not provide the appellant a chance to present his side. Bansod also claimed that he had also written to Parasher asking for a hearing but he had deliberately ignored it for days. As a consequence, in a letter dated March 22, the appellant brought it to the notice of the commission which took a serious cognizance and served a show-cause notice on May 13.

This is not the first case when the university top officials are facing flak for their non-cooperation on the judicial matters. Earlier, they had been blasted and warned by the chancellor's office as they failed to respond to as many as nine letters related to a single issue. Bansod said the manner in which the university dealt with this issue displayed the scant regard that the university held for the transparency law.

“The inaction of the university is forcing the people to appeal to higher authorities for information that they should easily get here if the university cooperates. Let us hope the university takes a note of the case and makes an attempt to improve its practices,” he added.

State Information Commission (SIC) has issued show-cause notices to Nagpur University pro-vice chancellor

State Information Commission (SIC) has issued show-cause notices to Nagpur University pro-vice chancellor GS Parasher, who is first appellate officer, and registrar (Acting) Debendranath Mishra, who is public information officer, for their failure to follow its directives.

They were asked why action should not be initiated against them. The notices were issued after secretary of Civil Human Rights Protection Association Prakash Bansod lodged a complaint in this regard to the SIC alleging that the officials had violated the provisions of Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The duo have been told to remain personally present on Friday at 2 pm with the required documents explaining the reason why the directions were not followed. In case of their inability to do so, it would be assumed they had nothing to say and action would be taken, the notice said. Parasher told TOI that his lawyer would attend the hearing on Friday and it was just a “regular hearing”.

New Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University

The committee which selects the Vice-Chancellors is called ‘search committee’ and is supposed to search for a suitable person for appointment as Vice-Chancellor. The committee, constituted under section 12 of Maharashtra Universities Act, seeks résumé of persons who are suitable for holding the highest position in a university. The entire process is carried out under the instructions of the Chancellor.

Entry of politicians in the field of education has also had its impact on the selection process. Earlier, only academicians of repute were considered for appointment as Vice-Chancellors. In the last two decades, it has become more of a political appointment. Although the political influences were evident during this period, the entire process was being carried out through the office of the Chancellor.

This time, the Maharashtra Government has issued a notification on Saturday inviting details of the persons for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

Issuance of such a notification itself is against the spirit of selection of the Vice- Chancellor. As the appointing authority is the Chancellor, it is he who interviews the individuals recommended by the screening committee. He has full authority to select one of the persons recommended by the screening committee or even reject all the recommended names.

The government appears to have robbed these powers from the Chancellor and has invited applications from individuals for the V-C’s post. The committee has only one representative of the Higher and Technical Education Department. This nominee influencing the selection process has been made public by issuing the notification.

The notification says that names may be ‘suggested’ for nomination as Vice-Chancellor. As majority of engineering and medical colleges are owned by ministers and influential political persons, the selection of a Vice-Chancellor cannot be said to be done keeping academic interest of the university and the society.

The sources have informed that the Chancellor Mohammad Fazal has called a meeting of the screening committee on December 1. The committee has invited ‘suggestions’ before November 29. The committee is likely to recommend three names to the Chancellor from among whom one will be selected as Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University.

The selection gains more importance after the exposé of bogus marksheet and degree scandal. The enquiry in the scandal has not yet been completed. It is suspected that several bigwigs are involved in the scandal directly or indirectly.

Nagpur University engg dean, pro-VC in ugly spat

In yet another disturbing development in Nagpur University, its two senior officials– pro vice-chancellor GS Parasher and engineering dean DK Agrawal– were involved in an ugly spat during a meet of research recognition committee (RRC). It resulted in latter lodging a formal complaint against former for 'objectionable' behaviour.

The dean lodged the complaint with chancellor K Sankaranarayanan, vicechancellor SN Pathan, and even with pro-VC himself. Agrawal confirmed to TOI that he had a squabble with Parasher. "It happened during a meet of PhD Cell on April 12. I found pro-VC's behaviour highly objectionable. I asked him about cancellation of a meeting when so many students were waiting. But he arrogantly replied that this is my chamber and I am the chairman of committees," he said.

Agrawal said the pro-VC was a salaried employee, while the dean was an elected office bearer and didn't deserve such treatment. "Dirty politics has started in view of new VC's selection but there is no politics from my side," he said. Parasher refused to comment. The pro-VC's office had convened two meetings on Monday, including one of RRC simultaneously under Parasher.

The invitation of first one was given by telephone while letters were sent for the second. Since invitation failed to reach the members on time, not even half of them arrived. Agrawal was one of the invitees. This led to the RRC meet regarding appointment of examiners for PhD students' projects being cancelled. Agrawal took objection stating that the students' research projects were pending since 8 months. Parasher allegedly lost his cool and asked Agrawal to "mind his business". After a brief altercation, Agrawal walked out of the chamber.

Paper of Nagpur University's Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) exam has been rescheduled

paper of Nagpur University's Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) exam has been rescheduled as officials at Dr Ambedkar College erroneously distributed the question papers of Wednesday's exams on Sunday.

The university has now deferred the second paper of Digital Electronics (DE-II) of BCA first year, which was supposed to be conducted on Wednesday, to April 19. The reason for the change of schedule was that the question paper of DE-II was mistakenly circulated to some students at Deekshabhoomi-based Dr Ambedkar College by the centre in-charge on Sunday. The students were supposed to appear for the first paper of Digital Electronics (DE-I).

It was already 15-20 minutes before the students complained, and the officials distributed the correct paper sets in a hurry. The DE-I paper hence began about 30 minutes late at the centre.

VC SN Pathan was not available for comments as usual, while pro-VC GS Parasher, who is in-charge of the examination section, was in Mumbai. Controller of examinations Debendranath Mishra cited ‘technical problems' for deferring the DE-II paper. He however confirmed that there had been some ‘human error', without disclosing much. 

Jalgaon students get Nagpur University degrees

A group of nearly 15 persons wearing traditional dresses reached the Nagpur University premises on Friday evening claiming that they belonged to a college in Jalgaon and their 71 students had failed to receive the identity cards of university’s Sanskrit diploma examination.

They claimed their college was affiliated to the university since 1964 and that their students were regularly appearing in the examinations. The university administration couldn’t believe that a college from Jalgaon was affiliated to the university. Some colleges in Bhusawal are still affiliated to the university, but Jalgaon has the North Maharashtra University. Similar courses in Sanskrit are offered by the Ramtek-based Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University with statewide jurisdiction.

Enquiries by examination department revealed that the college, Shri Chakradhar Gurukul Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, located at Faizpur in Jalgaon was actually not affiliated to the university but its students were appearing in NU exams as external candidates since last many years. They had also filled up the forms from university’s Dr Ambedkar Law College.

This year, its coordinator failed to collect identity cards as he went visiting Kumbh Mela. As a result, all of them were marked absent in the exams. The college was not even aware that exams ended a couple of weeks back. They asked pro-vice chancellor GS Parasher to hold the exam again or else the students would lose an year.

The pro-VC assured an enquiry but ruled out holding the exams. Acharya Mahant Salkar Baba of the Chakradhar College along with others disclosed that their college was affiliated to Nagpur University since over four decades as there was no other university in the entire region at that time.

“We provide Sanskrit Shastri degree, which is a five-year course. The diploma Sanskrit Pragya is of one year duration while diplomas Sanskrit Visharad and Shastri were of two years each. After completion of all three diplomas, the university awards the degree of ‘Shastri’ to the students,” he said.

Another office-bearer added they were conferred degree at every convocation and 137 of its students had finished the course. University officials have a doubt regarding why the college continued its affiliation to NU when another university had come up in Jalgaon or why it had not sought affiliation from the Sanskrit university. 

Aisect to conduct Ignou courses

In good news for students, especially those in the rural areas, the All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology (Aisect) will offer many job-oriented courses in association with Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou).

Aisect will be offering courses in information technology, hardware and networking, along with livelihood and vocational training programmes in association with the world's largest open university at its 1,800 centres, mostly located in rural and semiurban areas. "Our objective is to reach every potential learner in the country, especially those who don't have access to quality education in villages. We will offer state-of-the-art courses offered by Ignou through our centres," Aisect registrar Pushpa Asiwal told reporters at the launch of the courses in Nagpur.

The society also offers courses run by the Bilaspur-based CV Raman University, which was established by it. "Our basic focus is on students from rural and backward areas as they hardly get a chance to learn new courses. We will be offering them 40% discount and scholarships for pursing these courses, which would assure them of a good future. The programmes are generally taught online and we also have expert faculties at various centres," Asiwal added.

In the first phase, around 1,000 centres across the country would be utilised for starting Ignou courses. "In the first phase, we will start with short-term courses and gradually introduce professional, high-end courses like MBAs. Our strong network spread in rural areas is our biggest advantage along with facility of pursuing courses in English as well as Hindi," Aisect manager for Nagpur district Ritesh Sharma said.

He added that last date for admission to all courses is December 10. Aisect plans to open 144 centres in the country by March 31. In Nagpur region, the society has six centres at Butibori, Mouda, Patur near Akola and Chandrapur.

MBA/MMS CET on Feb 21, MCA and CET on Mar 7, 2010

The state directorate of technical education (DTE) has announced the dates of the common entrance tests for MBA/MMS/PGDBM and PGDM courses for 2010-11. The common entrance test (CET) for MBA/MMS will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010. The CET for admission into first year of Master of Computer Application (MCA) course will be conducted on March 7, 2010.

Sources at the DTE office said that the examination dates were being eagerly awaited by thousands of students due to the chaos in the ongoing Common Admission Test (CAT) for admissions into the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

"Thousands of students are fed up with the continuous problems with the online CAT exam. Not a single day has passed without problems. The MBA CET will attract more students this year as fewer students had filled in the application for CAT," said Nihit Mor of Career Launcher.

Mor said there were many factors that led to the declining interest in CAT. "All the IIMs and other top B-Schools who admit candidates on the CAT score have hiked their fees a lot. The IIMs themselves charge around Rs 13 lakh for two years. On the other hand, the maximum fees at colleges coming under DTE is somewhere around Rs 2 lakh for two years. In top-rung colleges like Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) the fees is just Rs 25,000 per year. Therefore, a majority of students cannot pursue their studies from these institutes even if they try to secure loans."

He added, "To add to their woes, the global recession is showing its impact on placements in all premier B-schools. Earlier, foreign companies used to recruit students from IIMs and other colleges, but now their numbers have significantly reduced. Also, the companies with jobs are offering meagre pay scales as compared to previous years. Hence, I think students will rush for the MBA CET. Last tear around 16,000 students appeared in this examination, and I expect the number to shoot up past 20,000 students this year."

As per the DTE communique, the detailed notification regarding availability of information brochure for MBA CET, filling up of online application forms and eligibility criteria etc would be available on the official website from January. Details about the MCA CET would be available in February.

Dr Dnyaneshwar S Kadhao, Dean of Social Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University suspended!

Dr Dnyaneshwar S Kadhao, Dean of Social Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, who is also a lecturer of History at the Degree college level was placed under suspension by Management of J M Patel College of Arts, Commerce and Science, informed highly placed sources. With this development, Dr Kadhao may lose his post of Dean under Section 43 of Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994. It may be mentioned here that Social Science Faculty is considered to be one of the big faculty which include Arts, Commerce, Mass Communication etc.

The sources disclosed, the college in its show cause notice issued on November 12, 2009 to Dr D S Kadhao levelled serious charges regarding his absentee for long period. He was absent in college during the year 2006 to 2009. The management had issued him series of letters seeking an explanation for his leave, absentees. It is to be noted here that the Dean is required to discharge various duties. Considering this, Management has perused certificates issued in respect of certain dates submitted by Kadhao. But after a certain period of time he did not submit any certificates in respect of his attendance. The management and the Principal rescheduled the entire timetable to enable Kadhao to engage his classes without difficulty, but he did not appear for the same. He neither responded to the letters issued by the college, nor submitted the attendance register of academic session 2006 to 2009. Meanwhile, College had installed a biometric device which records thumb impression of the employee, to mark the attendance. But here also, Dr Kadhao was found missing as he did not appear in the college during that period. Another irregularity that was pointed out in the notice was, Dr Kadhao had submitted the attendance record of the B.A Part II and Part III degree course, but when the record was verified, it was found that the records were falsified as it was not containing the complete number of students who were on rolls during the academic session. After receiving the reply of Dr Kadhao on the Show Cause notice, the management management issued a letter conveying him the decision of his suspension. In the letter management made it clear that the disciplinary authority has rejected his request of grant of time to respond to the show cause notice. The society which runs the college is the appointing authority and the salary is paid because he is the employee of the college. Section 15 of Maharashtra Universities act 1994 confers some special powers or privileges is thoroughly misconceived. The university does not pay his salary. Placing various irregularities and charges, Management in its letter made clear that the disciplinary authority considers that in the larger academic interests of the students, overall college atmosphere, it is appropriate to place Dr Kadhao under suspension until further orders. He will draw the salary after suspension, as per rules with immediate effect. Dr Kadhao will sign the muster roll every day and will not leave without the express permission of the Principal. According to sources, the copies of suspension letter were sent to various authorities of the university. Due to absence of Vice-Chancellor Dr S N Pathan, the letter was not signed. He may lose the post when V-C will sign the same.

541 colleges running without Principals in RTMNU!!

There are 541 aided and unaided colleges affiliated to Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University which are running without Principals.

Dr Eknath Kathale, a seniormost member of the Senate raised this issue in the senate meeting which began on Tuesday. The reply given by university on this issue says that there are 204 Granted colleges and 571 are permanent unaided colleges. There are 47 aided and 494 unaided colleges which are running without Principals. As per Maharashtra Universities Act 1994 the Local Management Committees (LMC) are not constituted in 485 colleges. When asked what action was taken against the colleges which have not constituted LMC, university replied that a issue of charging fine of Rs 25000/- on such colleges is under consideration before the Management Council.

As per the directions of High Court, university has already sent the notices to the colleges for the appointment of Principals. Dr S N Pathan, Vice-Chancellor told Senate that the colleges running without principals would not be allowed to admit students in June 2010. There are 52 colleges affiliated to university. No admission was made in 12 colleges, out of 40 colleges 5 have less than 30 students. Out of 40 colleges, only 17 colleges have full-time teaching staff totaling to 38 teachers. The rule of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) says that there should be one Professor, two Assistant Professors, 6 lecturers in Management college. But not a single college has full staff of 9 teachers prescribed by AICTE. Giving this shocking information to the members, Ambadas Mohite raised the questions asking university what action is being taken. University has decided to hold meeting of Director, Principal to find out the solution on this issue. Gopal Khamdeve, President of University’s students council informed senate that in Education colleges situation is no different. There are 113 colleges under university. Out of them 17 have regular principals, 96 are having irregular Principals while 64 colleges are running sans teachers. The meeting was adjourned and will continue on Wednesday at 10am.