CHENNAI: The Academic Council of Madras University has referred the issue of double valuation of Post Graduate (PG) answer scripts to the new Vice-Chancellor expected to be appointed soon.
At the council meeting held on Saturday, professor J Gandhiraj moved a resolution on reviving double valuation of PG answer papers.
Under this, answer sheets are to be valued by two examiners and the average marks secured in both would be taken into account. If the difference of marks between the two is more than 15 per cent, it would be sent for third valuation to another examiner and in such case, the average of nearest two marks would be taken.
This sparked a debate among the council members. Few members explained how this was unjust to students who ended up scoring less marks besides resulting in mounting demand for re-evaluation.
In 2008, the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) had convened a meeting of Controller of Examinations of various universities regarding this.
On Saturday, academic council chairman, Jothi Sivagnanam (in the absence of higher education secretary Apoorva) said it would be decided by TANSCHE after the new Vice-Chancellor was appointed since it was a policy matter.
Among other decisions, the council rejected few other resolutions on welfare of teachers. One important resolution was about relaxation of age limit for Ph.D supervisors. Citing the acute dearth of experienced research supervisors, professor CR Ravi urged the university to recognise Ph.D. supervisors in affiliated colleges up to age of 60, notwithstanding their retirement from service. The council rejected this stating that it was not within their powers.
Another resolution rejected on same grounds requested the university to consider MCom (C.S), MCS, MA (Corporate Secretaryship) on a par with M Com (General) degree holders for the purpose of appointment of assistant professors in government colleges as done in aided colleges based on the syndicate decision.
Dress code for students
The council also had a heated debate about introduction of a strict dress code for University departments. This resolution called for implementing a dress code for students and research scholars. The council has sought the opinion of wardens and the student board regarding this