KOCHI: Cochin University of Science and Technology is looking into the ‘irregular’ transfer of students among its own colleges and affiliated ones. Cusat Vice-Chancellor J Letha has sought a report on the transfer of students. “The varsity has not announced a probe but has asked International Relations and Academic Admissions (IRAA) authorities to file a report on the transfers,” Letha told Express.
International Relations and Academic Admissions (IRAA) is a unit under the varsity which plays a pivotal role in fostering international tie-ups and collaborative ventures by promoting faculty and student exchanges and joint research ventures.
The unit has also made its debut into new and varied areas of academic administration and management such as conduct of training programmes and competitive examinations. It has been found that more than 120 students were transferred among its own colleges and affiliated engineering colleges since 2011. Transfers under the scanner include shifting of 17 students from Cochin University College of Engineering Kuttanad (CUCEK) to the School of Engineering (SOE) on the main campus in Thrikkakara.
The students who got transfer were in their fourth and fifth semesters.
Better campus, lodging and transportation facilities, permanent faculties, preference shown by companies during campus selection are some of the factors behind shifting of colleges.
“As per the rules, transfers should be granted as per the sea t availability and merit. But it is a fact that ‘out of turn’ transfers are happening,” said a senior official of the university.