THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Syndicate sub-committee that inquired into the death of a research student at Kariavattom University, who had ended her life by consuming poison, has recommended action against the research guide of the student.
The sub-committee arrived at the conclusion that the student, Resmi R Nair, was under tremendous mental stress due to the guide’s indifferent attitude towards her research work. The five-member sub-committee submitted the inquiry report to the Vice-Chancellor on Tuesday evening. The VC accepted the report and has ordered the suspension of his guideship.
The sub-committee members, P S Sreekala, Jolly Jacob, B Suresh, K L Vivekanandan and P Mohanachandran, visited the Aquatic Biology Department at the University in the morning. They met the faculty members, guide, department head and students before arriving at the conclusion.
‘’The students and faculty were of the opinion that Resmi was under stress as the progress work report which was to be signed by the guide was held back by him since last March. The four other students who were also granted fellowships along with Resmi had also to suffer due to that, which seemingly had caused double pain to her,’’ said one of the members of the sub-committee.
Resmi was doing research on the topic ‘Pesticide effect on fishes.’ She was working towards the completion of her work report.
Resmi had consumed poison on December 31 and was admitted to the hospital and died last Wednesday. There were allegations that she was under mental stress regarding the submission of the work report.
However, the sub-committee members have not met the family members or inquired about Resmi’s personal life. ‘’There might be problems on the personal front. We have only looked into her life at the college,’’ said the member.
One of the sub-committee members said that the girl had opted for a rare topic and the guide had completely disregarded her academic needs and had offered no guidance.