The students called a strike here, demanded that they be shifted to other government colleges, and met Prof AK Agrawal, vice-chancellor of LD Engineering College, in this regard.
Students from six government engineering colleges falling under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) format, from across the state, gathered at the LD Engineering College on Thursday in protest against inadequate facilities and infrastructure in their respective colleges.
The students, about 50 of them and hailing from Amreli, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Porbandar, Navsari and Vadnagar, complained that the colleges they study in lack even the most basic of amenities.
The students called a strike here, demanded that they be shifted to other government colleges, and met Prof AK Agrawal, vice-chancellor of LD Engineering College, in this regard.
Complaining about the insufficient facilities, a student said, "We do not have a building of our own. We study in the building where diploma classes are conducted. We do not have laboratory and library facilities either. Also, we do not have enough professors, as one professor takes three lectures per day."
Another student from Navsari pointed out that they do not even have a college building in Navsari. "We have to travel to Vapi to attend classes," said the student. Student representatives questioned as to why they have been charged high fees, when they don't get even the most basic of facilities.
From the description provided by the students, it appears that the situation needs immediate assessment. In course of the conversation they had with Prof Agrawal, the students and their representatives insisted on being transferred to other government technical colleges, saying the present ones are unable to give them an atmosphere conducive and appropriate for studies.
Reacting to the incident, Agrawal said, "When I enquired a few weeks ago, I was told that there is no provision for transfer of students. But last week, I came to know that the students can be transferred under a specific provision. So I will see to it that this is done."
When asked as to why the colleges haven't secured AICTE recognition yet, Agrawal replied that the recognition is not the sole criteria influencing the students' jobs, and won't affect their careers. The management has given one week's time to enquire into the matter and meet the students' demands. The representatives also stated that if their demands are not met with in a week, they will stage a dharna and adopt a non-violent way of putting forth their demands.
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