V-Cs MEET TO SET RULES FOR STUDENTS

Prompted by the recent protest at Osmania University, education minister Kadiyam Srihari has met with the vice chancellors of all universities to set a few ground rules for the upcoming academic year.

Attended by the ViceChancellors of JNTU, OU, EFLU, HCU, Kakatiya and other universities, the meeting proposed changes with an aim to decrease politics on campus.

An education ministry official said, “Universities are spaces for research and learning. It was decided in the meeting not to encourage meetings that are politicallyinclined and to try to reduce political events on campus.”

Mr Papi Reddy, chairman of Telangana State Council of Higher education, who was present at the meeting, said, “It was also decided to install biometric machines in all universities and affiliated institutions to ensure attendance of students, teachers and nonteaching staff. CCTV cameras will also be installed on campuses.”

Officials said that CCTV cameras will help curb ragging, which has been reported in JNTU, and drug usage, which is plaguing the Telangana student community.

It was decided that nonboarders in Osmania University would be evacuated after July 23 so as to continue the admission process smoothly. The week-long extension has been granted keeping in mind that a few students are from rural backgrounds and need time to prepare for competitive exams.

The minister also urged universities to tie up with foreign varsities to enhance students’ learning.