BANGALORE: The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has extended the maximum period to complete the four-year Bachelor of Engineering (BE) course to 10 years.
At the executive council meeting in 2008, VTU had decided that a candidate who had not obtained eligibility for third semester, after a period of three academic years from the date of first admission, should discontinue the course.
It had also decided to allow candidates to continue the course for a period of ‘double’ the course time (that is eight years). Candidates admitted under lateral entry scheme (diploma students who join the second year directly) shall complete the course within a period of six academic years from the date of first admission, the meeting had decided.
VTU registrar Prof KVA Balaji told Express that after several requests from students, the university had decided to set a deadline for completing the engineering course. The new rules demand that a student complete the course within 10 years.
Those candidates who had sought admission in 2002 were supposed to complete BE by 2010. But many candidates had requested the university for some more time. “At the recent executive council meeting, the university higher-ups decided to give them another chance. The council decided to allow them to complete the course within 10 years from the date of admission, that is by 2012,” Prof Balaji said.
The council also allowed those admitted under lateral entry scheme up to 2007-08 to complete the course in a maximum duration of eight years as against six years. However, for students who have sought admission during or after 2008-09 under lateral entry scheme, the maximum duration for completion of the course is six years.
Prof Balaji said that VTU changes its syllabus every four years.
Those who were given more time to complete the course have to get re-admission for that particular year and take the exams as per the latest syllabus.
When contacted Prof K Balaveera Reddy, former Vice-Chancellor, VTU, said that during his tenure, the university had increased the maximum period to complete the course from six to eight years. “Many of the candidates may not be able to complete their education in the prescribed time due to various reasons, including financial problems. On humanitarian grounds, one should allow them to complete their degree. Otherwise, we will ruin their career,” he said.