Pune: Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has established five committees, inclusive of all deans of four faculties, to formulate an action plan for the examination.
The four faculties include commerce and management studies, science and technology, humanities as well as interdisciplinary studies. One committee has been set up for each faculty, and the fifth one for the university level of its departments.
About 2.46 lakh final year students, across 150 graduation and post-graduation degree and diploma courses, will be appearing for the examination this year. Considering the number of students who will be appearing for the examination, the university has been micro-planning the format.
According to the announcement made by the state education minister Uday Samant, the state government has decided to take final year examinations whereas students of all other years will be promoted. The discussion on examination format for final year students is underway among the higher-ups.
A result of the committee reports is expected, and the timetable for the examination is scheduled to be released soon.
Every committee involves principals, professors and faculty of respective colleges as well as schools, to discuss the examination format. They are trying to understand whether colleges have adequate infrastructure to conduct the examination. Also, mulling upon options of online and offline examination.
The main committee consists of vice-chancellor (VC) Nitin Karmalkar, Pro-VC NS Umarani along with examination board director and all four deans of faculties who will review each committee reports.
"These committees have been set-up to understand the issues faced by every faculty in detail before holding the examination. As soon as each committee submits its reports to the main committee, we will deliberate a discussion on it and announce the final decision," said Umarani.
Some professors have expressed that examinations can be held in MCQ format, as it has to be held in less time. This format is more applicable for engineering, architecture, pharmacy, MBA, MCA, commerce, science and arts faculties. Additionally, it can also be held in online or offline mode.
While students have expressed their wish to appear for the examinations, the university needs to consider the problems faced by students hailing from the rural pockets. "Everyone doesn't own a laptop or computer, neither is there always good network connectivity. Nevertheless, Pune is also in the red zone. University should make an appropriate decision keeping all these factors in mind," said SPPU student Kamlakar Shete
