Cluster University Srinagar students scoff at date sheet

Srinagar, Sept 04: The students of Cluster University (CU) Srinagar's 9th semester integrated programs have raised serious concerns over the varsity's decision to schedule their exams this month saying that a major portion of their syllabus was incomplete.

The students complained that they have not been able to attend any practical classes for the last two semesters due to the lack of essential equipment in their college laboratories.

The students complained to Greater Kashmir that they were deprived of the practical classes despite paying huge amounts of fees at the time of admission and exams as well.

"The University should probe where the money used is collected from the students. If the university is not able to provide the basic facilities like laboratories then what is the purpose of running PG classes," the students asked.

The students accused the university authorities of giving priority to the face-lifting of corridors, staff rooms of Chemistry, Physics, Environment Science, Biochemistry and IT department of our college and deprived the students of equipment in the laboratories.

"The university floated several tenders worth crores for upgradation of offices but procuring equipment for laboratories was given a least priority," the students said.

Recently, the students of 9th semester integrated course of various subjects submitted a representation to the Cluster University stating that during the last two semesters i.e., from the start of the master’s part of the five years integrated program they have been facing significant challenges in carrying out practical work due to the lack of essential consumables and necessary equipment.

"This is severely hampering the ability to meet the research objective of our curriculum which was the sole aim of the integrated program when launched by the university in 2017," reads the representation, a copy of which is available with Greater Kashmir.

"The situation is so bad that none of us knows how to operate basic instruments like micropipettes and centrifuges, leaving aside the advanced ones," it reads.

The students have complained that they have a 4-credit laboratory paper on core courses consisting of 12 practical and a 2-credit lab paper on DCE courses having 10 practical.

"Three months have passed since this semester, internals have also ended and we have only done four practicals, and that too of a theoretical nature (slide and museum specimen study)," it reads.

The students said that they were at the stage to complete their course in the next few months but their degrees will be in name only and none of them will be able to clear PhD interviews at any reputed research institute if the current scenario prevails at the varsity.

Amid the crises like situation, the Cluster University has notified the date sheet for 9th semester students of integrated program and also has written to the principals of the constituent colleges on September 3 of 2024 that the exams will commence from September 17 and till that time the concerned departments of concerned colleges should utilise the time to complete the pending portion of the syllabus.

"You are advised to direct your faculty to complete both the components of syllabi (theory and practical) within the stipulated time framework," the letter, addressed to principals of constituent colleges, reads.

Registrar CU Srinagar Prof. Wilayat Rizvi said that they have already received the grievance and the issue has been taken up with the colleges.

"We are ascertaining about the problems faced by the students in the constituent colleges. We will address it very soon," Registrar CU Srinagar said.

He however said the University has released Rs 61 lakh for augmentation of laboratories of the five constituent colleges.

"We have been informed that equipment has been procured. But I will discuss the issue with the VC and see what can be done," he said. About the deferment of the exams, he said the issue will be discussed with the controller examination.