GTU late entrants have less time to study

Is it possible for newly admitted students at the Gujarat Technological University (GTU) to study for 30 days out of the 180 days academic schedule and clear their semester exam? Difficult, a majority of people would say. But this is the kind of situation staring at students taking admission in bachelor of engineering at the GTU, following the Gujarat state education department's general resolution allowing admission of students who did not clear or appear in Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GCET).

The situation for pharmacy students is also going to be difficult as they would get only 20 days to study of the 180 days of academic schedule. The situation would arise if one goes by the academic schedule given by the GTU. Common feeling among academicians is that the Gujarat state education department could have issued the general resolution earlier.

To put it simply, through the endorsement of Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC), colleges affiliated with GTU will be giving admission to students within three days of endorsement. Even if the procedure starts by October 15, the Diwali vacation at GTU, from October 24 to November 11, cuts a crucial period of 19 days for holding lectures, workshops and laboratory sessions for engineering and pharmacy students. This means, engineering students would get around 30 days from the 180 days term to study the course.

The situation is a matter of concern at a time when 75% of attendance is mandatory to appear in the examination and also at the time when senior professors' posts are vacant. The issue has raised concern among college and university heads at the GTU. Senior authorities at GTU say that the move will not only put the late admitted students' academic track in danger but it will also be a lot of trouble for college to conduct 40 lectures, lab and workshops for each subject in so short a time.  

GTU vice-chancellor Akshai Aggarwal said they are worried. He told DNA,"I can only request colleges who give late admission to students to hold classes even during the Diwali vacations for late comers so that students don't suffer."

Another college principal requesting anonymity said that the move will not make any difference in quality of education as, per the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), students with 45% would be admitted and not below that. The same criteria are applicable in late admissions also.

"It might help students who have been living outside Gujarat and now have chosen to come back to the state. Since they have all education certificates from outside Gujarat they cannot appear for GCET. Such students are going to benefit from the move," said the principal of a college.