Viva through Skype ridiculous move, say JNU teachers

Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA) on Thursday termed the practice of conducting viva (oral test) through Skype "ludicrous" and said that the administration's move is anathematic to "meaningful research".

In a circular issued on December 22, the JNU administration had approved that all viva-voce for the M.Phil will be conducted through Skype -- an online video chat software-- and also preferably those for Ph.Ds.

The JNUTA, in its general body meeting condemned the decision as a measure which may contribute to "destruction of the research culture".

"Whether this comes from a fundamental lack of acquaintance with the joys of learning and thinking freely, or from some darker malefic motivation, the recent diktat on Skype vivas by the Vice-Chancellor strikes at the heart of what makes a research meaningful in a university," the teachers' body said in a statement.

"The JNUTA general body finds this to be a ludicrous proposal, stemming from on a very limited understanding of the viva voce as simply a verdict or grade," it said.

As its reasons for denouncing the move, it said the online mode is too disruptive (network issues) and impersonal to result in a "mutual edification", which is one of the objectives of the exercise.

It exhorted all schools and centres to send their resolution to the committee established to work out the modalities of viva decision, after discussion.

--IANS

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