THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst the controversy over the disciplinary actions against students of the self financing colleges in the State, the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) has decided to appoint an Ombudsman to monitor the functioning of engineering institutions, including self-financing colleges, affiliated to the University.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Board of Governors of KTU here on Wednesday. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) had in 2012 directed all technological universities and technical institutions to establish a grievance redressal committee and appoint an Ombudsman. However, most of the Universities had not complied with the order.
The ombudsman will deal with problems and issues faced by students such as charging of excess fees by institutions, levying irrational fine on students, lack of quality education and not conducting examinations in a timely manner. The Ombudsman will be a judicial officer of rank not less than a District Judge.
Fresh Look at Affiliation
The University will conduct expert visits to all 155 engineering colleges in the State before granting affiliation to the institutions for the 2017-18 academic year. Usually, the University undertakes visits when a new course is granted to an engineering college or on the basis of specific complaints.
“The continuation of affiliation of engineering colleges for 2017-18 academic year will be on the basis of the report of the expert team,” KTU pro vice chancellor M Abdul Rahman said. He added that the process will be completed before May 30, 2017.
The University had visited 30 engineering institutions last year and had directed five institutions, which did not follow norms, not to admit students.