Mumbai University reschedules exams falling on vote counting day

The Mumbai University has decided to reschedule all the 19 papers slated for May 16 as it clashes with the vote counting day of the Lok Sabha polls. A new date for the same is yet to be finalised.

The decision was made at the varsity's bi-annual senate meeting on Thursday after a request made by senate member Pradeep Sawant.

Members of the senate and principals in the meeting also demanded that the controversial scaling down policy, which standardises internal assessment and external theory marks, be withdrawn.

"It was decided by the academic council that the policy be withdrawn," said senate member Madhu Paranjpe.

Pro vice-chancellor Naresh Chandra said, "The scaling down policy will be reviewed. The change of ratio of external and internal marks to 75:35 is likely to be passed within a month."

Senators also raised concern over the soft stand that the university has taken towards Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd, the company which is handling the varsity's various IT projects.

"Why is the university not initiating action against MKCL? There is proof to show that the university is competent to manage its own work. In spite of that, over Rs 4.25 crore collected from students has been given to a company that has failed to deliver," said Sanjay Vairal.

The university officials have assured that they are talking tough to the company and will provide all assistance to the students.

"We will set up two teams comprising five members each," said Chandra.

Members of the senate also raised objections to the alleged exorbitant Rs 1 lakh rent that the varsity is collecting for usage of the virtual classroom set up at the Kalina campus. The university officials, however, denied the allegations and said the facility was open to use for its colleges and students.

VC skipped meeting
In what senate members called a mysterious absence, the Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Rajan Welukar was not present for the senate meeting on Thursday. "The VC is trying to shield himself and is afraid to answer questions," said a senate member.

Denying the allegations, a university spokesperson said, "The VC has not been able to attend the meeting because he is on leave." Another senate member said the VC had sought special permission from Chancellor K Sankarnarayanan.