Governor orders Mangalore University to issue degrees to autonomous colleges

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, October 27:  The tiff between St Aloysius autonomous College and Mangalore University over scheme of examination is likely to see an end with the Governor of Karnataka and Chancellor of Universities H R Bharadwaj directing the Mangalore University to consider the internal and external assessment made by respective autonomous colleges functioning under Mangalore University from 2007-08 to 2010-11 for awarding degree certificate to the students of autonomous colleges under the jurisdiction of Mangalore University.

Exercising powers conferred to him under Section 9 of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000, and on the recommendation of the state government, Bhardwaj has directed Mangalore University to consider the internal and external assessment made by the respective autonomous colleges under the university from 2007-08 to 2010-11 for awarding degree certificates to the students of the two autonomous colleges.

St Aloysius and St Agnes, two among the five autonomous colleges under the university, had adopted a different pattern of internal and external assessment than what was prescribed by the university in its statutes. This deviation between the university statutes and the practices followed by these two autonomous colleges continued for the past three years. The issue remained unresolved during these years, that is, from 2007-08 onwards.

At a meeting convened by then minister for higher education Aravind Limbavali on August 12, the two sides agreed on an approach to resolve this outstanding issue. One of the steps included was the colleges would convert the marks secured by these students from 2007-08 to 2010-11 from 70:30 (70 theory: 30 internal) and 50:50 to 80:20 pattern and bring it in conformity with the university stipulations as followed by other colleges.

Practical difficulties

However, the colleges came back with a practical difficulty in giving effect to this understanding on the ground that students who have already completed their courses have left the colleges with the marks sheet and making changes at this stage would lead to complications, as it would also result in changing their grades. Considering these difficulties, the state government recommended issuing a direction under section 9.

Vice-chancellor of Mangalore University T C Shivashankara Murthy reacting to this development told TOI that he would implement the governor’s directive and also send the compliance report as sought by the chancellor in his order dated October 21. "I received the order on Saturday," the V-C said, adding that the step taken by the governor was the only way to end the impasse as it involved fate of students of the two colleges.

In an order, the Governor has instructed the Mangaore University to implement the direction and submit a compliance report. DH/timesofindia