JNU academic council approves computer-based entrance exams for all courses

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Academic Council today approved making the entrance examinations to the varsity completely computer-based, amid opposition from a section of teachers who raised apprehensions that it won't be "financially viable" and suitable for many courses.

This was the first academic council meeting where the members of the JNU Students' Union were not present since they were not invited due to an ongoing inquiry against them for an alleged act of indiscipline in the last Academic Council (AC) meeting.

The AC also took a "student-friendly decision" by making it mandatory for all teachers to show the corrected answer scripts of all exams ( sessional, mid-semester, end semester) to the students before finalising the grades, the statement said.

This will help in making sure that all student evaluations in JNU are fair and transparent, it said.

While the JNU had already implemented the rules of attendance for students and administrative staff, the 146th AC meeting through its resolution has made attendance mandatory for the teaching community as well, said a statement from the varsity.

"JNU faculty need to give attendance at least once in a day. Moreover, the AC also approved a rule that during the registration process at the beginning of every semester, all the incoming and continuing students are required to give an undertaking that they will abide by the attendance rules," it added.

Another important decision taken by the AC is to make JNU Entrance Examinations completely computer-based, the statement said.

Many members pointed out during an hour-long discussion on this issue that the admission process in JNU will now be fairer, efficient, secure and bias-free, it said.

However, a member of JNU Teachers' Association said that some of the teachers opposed the move saying that the online entrance exams will not be a feasible option for courses under the School of Social Sciences or for Humanities courses.

The online entrance examinations will be outsourced and it will not be a financially viable option at a time when we have been told by the varsity that there is a crunch of funds, said a teacher on condition of anonymity. She also said that teachers were opposed to online entrance exam system since they had apprehensions about many of the students not being well-versed with computer.

The AC also approved the introduction of a two-year MSc degree programme in Mathematics in the School of Physical Sciences.

"A University level time-table will be put in place which will enable the student community to make choices for taking up courses in various schools and also lead to proper time management, and better utilization of available class room space," the statement said.