Probe against KU teachers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  The Senate meeting of the Kerala University has decided to investigate and take action against four teachers in research departments who were alleged of anti-student approach. Syndicate member P S Sreekala said that on the basis of the allegations that these teachers were proving a hurdle to the research activities of the students, action would be taken.  The adjournment motion moved by Joshy John in the issue said that the teachers were violating University rules, mentally harassing students, not attending Staff Council and Doctoral Committee.  The Senate meeting approved the budget for 2012-13 which was presented on Wednesday by Syndicate member B S Jyotikumar by amendments, which included the removal of the proposal to start learner support centres.  The construction of women’s hostel on Kariavattom campus was progressing at a fast pace, Syndicate member M Jeevanlal said as reply to a resolution moved by K Sunilkumar. His resolution to allow more posts and facilities to implement single window system for degree admission was also approved by the Senate. Also, his resolution to ask the Government to give financial assistance to the University as per the Rabeendranathan Commission was accepted by the meeting.  The University will follow the examination manual for conduct of examination and evaluation, for which a meeting of the Principals would be called if needed, Vice-Chancellor A Jayakrishnan said. As it is the shortage of teachers and non-teaching staff that has been hampering the evaluation of exam papers as soon as the exam gets over, this would be looked into, Syndicate member Varghese Perayil said in a reply to Dr G S Suresh. As many as 101 non-teaching staff are retiring at the end of March, P Mohanachandran said. Many vacancies will be filled by recruiting employees from the employment exchange, he said.  In a reply to a submission, Syndicate member P S Sreekala said that only if structural changes are brought about in the Doctoral Committee could the students registered for PhD in KU research centres be given the facilities for seminar and doctoral committee in the respective centres where they have registered.