KOCHI: It has been ten years since its inception. Yet the Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad (CUCEK) does not have basic infrastructure like classrooms and laboratories.
The work of the five-storey building which will house the classes and laboratories has been held up due to pending bills. The Central Public Works Department which is overseeing the works has said that it would take up the remaining works only after its dues are cleared, something that is running to a few crores.
Also, the university syndicate has been at loggerheads with CUCEK principal Prof Oomen Samuel. He is learnt to have submitted resignation and is in the notice period. In his resignation letter, Samuel is said to have reported the insubordination and willful disobedience of one of his subordinates as one of the reason for putting in his papers.
Who will take over remains a big question as there are only 12 permanent members of the teaching community and three Readers. There are no professors or assistant professors.
There are 100 teachers on the rolls but most of them are on leave or pursuing higher studies. The students have to be content with guest lecturers and contract teachers.
In the absence of hostel facilities, most North Indian students are staying in Alappuzha and Changanassery. There are 1,200 students in the college, which has five engineering branches and one MCA course.
Meanwhile, the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of CUCEK has decided to launch an open protest against the authorities for neglecting the college.
“We will protest against lack of infrastructure and shifting the course to self-financing mode.’’ In a press release, they accused the authorities of turning a blind eye to the college’s problems.
In the university budget presented on March 31, 2009, there is a special mention of the precarious financial position of CUCEK and the need for the institution to find ways and means to enhance its revenue generation to sustain itself.
This could turn out to be a major problem for Cochin University which is aiming to be the ‘University with Potential for Excellence’.