VTU withholds ‘controversial’ text

After getting into a controversy for dropping former vice-chancellor Prof K Balaveera Reddy’s name from a textbook, Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has now decided to stop distribution of the textbook to colleges until further notification.

The second edition of the textbook titled ‘A Primer on Computer Aided Engineering Drawing,’ for students of first year engineering, has been withdrawn from distribution by the university’s four regional offices in Bangalore, Mysore, Gulbarga, and Belgaum.

VTU’s regional office in Bangalore had issued a circular on October 1 to principals of engineering colleges to pick up copies of the textbooks paying money through demand draft at the rate of Rs 75 per copy.

However, following the announcement by Reddy that he was preparing to go to court over his name being dropped from the textbook, it appears that VTU has backtracked.

On October 6, the Bangalore regional office issued a new circular, undersigned by the special officer on the distribution of the new textbooks saying, “Due to unavoidable reasons, the Computer Aided Engineering Drawing (CAED) textbooks cannot be distributed.

The distribution of the textbooks will be announced later.” When Express contacted the Bangalore regional office, an official said that the order had been issued from VTU’s office in Belgaum.

TNIE had first reported on October 2 that the name of former vice-chancellor Reddy had been dropped from the second edition of the textbook, and had been replaced with that of current vice-chancellor Prof H P Khincha.

A comparison of the two editions by Express showed that the material in the two textbooks were virtually identical.

Shortage

Principals of engineering colleges said that the non-availability of the said textbook had hampered teaching of the subject.

The principal of an engineering college in Bangalore said, “It has been more than a month since the classes began and students have not received the textbook.

We are currently making do with copies of the older edition. ” When contacted Khincha, he said he had no comments to make on the matter.

VTU V-C setback in book row

In a setback to the Visvesvaraya Technological University(VTU) Vice-Chancellor H P Khnicha, the group of authors that prepared

an engineering textbook have objected to the dropping of former V-C K Balaveera Reddy’s name as chief editor.

In a meeting held on Friday at the VTU campus in Belgaum, the authors have termed VTU’s action a ‘mistake’ and have asked the University to rectify it.

The textbook, titled ‘A Primer on Computer Aided Engineering Drawing’, authored by a nine-member editorial board headed by the

then V-C Balaveera Reddy, was first published by VTU in 2006.

Express had first reported on October 2, about the row that had broken out after Reddy’s name in the second edition of the textbook was

replaced with that of the present V-C Khincha. It is learnt that at the meeting convened by Registrar K V A Balaji on Friday

evening, the authors disagreed with VTU’s contention that the sitting Vice- Chancellor should be the de-facto chief editor of the

textbook.

“Prof Reddy was deeply involved in authoring the textbook. It was prepared mainly at his initiative. In such a situation, it would be

wrong to drop his name,” said a member who has part of the meeting. Unconfirmed reports say that the Vice-Chancellor may

apologise to Reddy. Both V-C Khincha and Registrar Balaji were unavailable for comment. The controversy broke

out when VTU decided to issue the second edition of an engineering textbook – virtually identical to the first one -- but with Khincha’s

name replacing that of Reddy as chief editor. Subsequently, VTU has held back the distribution of the textbook, with the books

lying locked up at the four regional centres in Bangalore, Belgaum, Mysore, and Gulbarga.

Never judge a book by its cover; VTU shows why

Hot on the heels of the plagiarism controversy against the NIT Surathkal director, here is yet another academic controversy brewing in the state. The vice-chancellor of the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) H P Khincha is now in the hot seat for replacing the former V-C K Balaveera Reddy’s name in a new edition of a text book published by the VTU. The problem: the new edition is virtually identical to the earlier one, and the propriety of Khincha claiming editorship over a textbook on which he has no relevant academic qualifications.

The textbook, titled, ‘A Primer on Computer Aided Engineering Drawing’, was first published by VTU in 2006, authored by a nine-member editorial board headed by then V-C Balaveera Reddy.

The second edition was published on September 22 this year, with what appears to be a virtually identical copy of the first one, with only one change: Reddy’s name was dropped and replaced with that of Khincha’s.

A comparison of the two editions, available with Express, shows that both the editions have a total of six chapters and three appendices for a total of 171 pages each. The topics, subtopics and even the preface by former AICTE director A Natarajan which praises Reddy’s contributions, have been retained. The foreword, written by Reddy, however, has been replaced with that of Khincha’s. This ignores the norm of a second edition carrying the preface from the first edition.

A publisher, on condition of anonymity, said, “Second editions are typically issued only when there are substantial changes in the book such as the addition of new chapters, or extending a new chapter.” Moreover, engineering drawing is a subject that comes under mechanical engineering, a subject that Reddy has been teaching for over 40 years. The present V-C, however, has a background in electrical engineering. 

'CAMS' M. TECH PROG. AT VVCE

 

The M.Tech programme "Computational Analysis in Mechanical Sciences" (CAMS) of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, was inaugurated on Sept.24.

The PG programme will begin from today (Sept. 30). Dr. K Chidananda Gowda, former Vice-Chancellor, Kuvempu University, was the chief guest. Vindhya, student of third semester, rendered the invocation. Dr. B. Sadashivegowda, HoD, Department of Mechanical Engineering, welcomed. P Vishwa-nath, Secretary, V.V. Sangha, emphasised on the technical relevance of the PG programme.

Gundappa Gowda, President of V.V. Sangha, presided. Prof. B.L.S Murthy spoke on the occasion. G.V. Naveen Prakash, Lecturer, proposed a vote of thanks. S.A. Mohan Krishna, Lecturer of the Dept., compered.

The M.Tech programme in CAMS is a first of its kind under VTU. This specialisation has been conceived based on the dearth of personnel in this field in both teaching and industry. It is apt to mention that the application of computational tools in the analysis of engineering problems is indispensable.

The curriculum covers all prominent streams of Mechanical Engineering namely Thermal, Design, Management and Manufacturing.

The graduates of Computational Analysis in Mechanical Sciences (CAMS) can pursue their career in Aerospace Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Railways, Design of Earth Moving Equipments, Oil and Gas Industry, Design of Defense Equipments & Machine Tools, Thermal Analysis and Teaching and R & D.

The duration of the M.Tech programme is two years with the eligibility of 50% aggregate and 45% for SC/ST. Guest lectures from IITs, IISc and Industries will also be arranged.

The selection criterion is as per VTU norms.

For ragging-free campuses

The Visvesvaraya Technological University is looking forward to making the campuses of all its affiliated engineering colleges in Karnataka “ragging free.” The recent meeting of principals, hostel wardens, student representatives from affiliated colleges under Belgaum region and police officials convened at VTU’s Jnana Sangama campus in Belgaum is said to be a concrete measure in that direction.

The meeting was convened to take fresh stock of the menace of ragging and its disastrous effect on children and their parents in various engineering colleges, particularly those under private managements, and find out ways and means for its complete eradication.

“We want to make VTU a ragging-free university,” VTU Registrar K.V.A. Balaji said in his presidential remarks while appealing to the gathering to join hands with the university in achieving the common objective.

What was initially considered as having some fun with freshers later took an ugly turn with physical injuries, humiliation and mental torture resulting in deaths and ruining lives. The Supreme Court and the Government of India took serious note of these incidents and even legislated laws to ensure that all such cases of ragging, which are in violation of human rights, shall be tried under the criminal justice system instead of allowing the administrations concerned to deal with the situation.

Though incidences of ragging have scaled down to a considerable extent during the last couple of years, it continues to be in vogue in different forms and varying degrees. Fear of law and stray cases of retaliation by juniors helped in bringing some relief, says a student of KLE Engineering College, Belgaum.

Easy prey

Another student from city-based Gogte Institute of Technology (GIT) pointed out that the easy prey for ragging are the freshers coming from outside the town as hardly anybody dared to rag locals.

Some students tend not to join campus hostels and choose to rent rooms outside and remain in groups for the first few days. However, once the pressure from semester exams begins to build up, everyone settles with his studies, which in turn eases the fear of ragging among juniors.

But what has contributed to increase in ragging is the proliferation of private institutions offering higher education, as observed by Mr. Balaji and his views conform with reports indicating that incidents of ragging had gone up with the increase in number of private professional colleges in Karnataka and across the country.

While there are laws to take action after the incidents are reported, teachers can play an important role in moulding views against ragging and explaining how disastrous it could be on its victims. At the same time, the parents of senior students must advise their children to not to harass any junior student. Both college administrations and parents must lend due personal care to ensure that students remain away from drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants too.

The college administrations also need to spread greater awareness about anti-ragging measures by displaying notifications all over the campus, particularly during admission time, said a student representative who participated in the meeting at VTU.

The meeting was formally inaugurated by GIT Principal M.D. Kulkarni, who highlighted the role of principals, faculty and parents in eradicating ragging from campuses.

 

The Visvesvaraya Technological University is looking forward to making the campuses of all its affiliated engineering colleges in Karnataka “ragging free.” The recent meeting of principals, hostel wardens, student representatives from affiliated colleges under Belgaum region and police officials convened at VTU’s Jnana Sangama campus in Belgaum is said to be a concrete measure in that direction.

The meeting was convened to take fresh stock of the menace of ragging and its disastrous effect on children and their parents in various engineering colleges, particularly those under private managements, and find out ways and means for its complete eradication.

“We want to make VTU a ragging-free university,” VTU Registrar K.V.A. Balaji said in his presidential remarks while appealing to the gathering to join hands with the university in achieving the common objective.

What was initially considered as having some fun with freshers later took an ugly turn with physical injuries, humiliation and mental torture resulting in deaths and ruining lives. The Supreme Court and the Government of India took serious note of these incidents and even legislated laws to ensure that all such cases of ragging, which are in violation of human rights, shall be tried under the criminal justice system instead of allowing the administrations concerned to deal with the situation.

Though incidences of ragging have scaled down to a considerable extent during the last couple of years, it continues to be in vogue in different forms and varying degrees. Fear of law and stray cases of retaliation by juniors helped in bringing some relief, says a student of KLE Engineering College, Belgaum.

Easy prey

Another student from city-based Gogte Institute of Technology (GIT) pointed out that the easy prey for ragging are the freshers coming from outside the town as hardly anybody dared to rag locals.

Some students tend not to join campus hostels and choose to rent rooms outside and remain in groups for the first few days. However, once the pressure from semester exams begins to build up, everyone settles with his studies, which in turn eases the fear of ragging among juniors.

But what has contributed to increase in ragging is the proliferation of private institutions offering higher education, as observed by Mr. Balaji and his views conform with reports indicating that incidents of ragging had gone up with the increase in number of private professional colleges in Karnataka and across the country.

While there are laws to take action after the incidents are reported, teachers can play an important role in moulding views against ragging and explaining how disastrous it could be on its victims. At the same time, the parents of senior students must advise their children to not to harass any junior student. Both college administrations and parents must lend due personal care to ensure that students remain away from drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants too.

The college administrations also need to spread greater awareness about anti-ragging measures by displaying notifications all over the campus, particularly during admission time, said a student representative who participated in the meeting at VTU.

The meeting was formally inaugurated by GIT Principal M.D. Kulkarni, who highlighted the role of principals, faculty and parents in eradicating ragging from campuses.

College sets ‘fine’ example

The New Horizon College located on Marathalli Outer Ring Road has once again set a ‘fine’ example in its campus. After being in the news for charging exorbitant parking fee, the college has begun to fine students who wear sandals or floaters.

The management feels shoes give a ‘touch of professionalism’, while sandals make students look ‘unprofessional’.

The rule applies only to boys in various disciplines, including engineering and management. Those found wearing sandals are caught and fined Rs 100 ‘on the spot’. Earlier, the rule was mandatory for both girls and boys. Now, girls have been exempted.

Meanwhile, a parent has written a letter to Bangalore Mirror highlighting the college’s ‘fine’ decisions. The letter runs thus.

“My ward has been studying in the college for the past couple of years. I’ve seen her suffer inwardly. I feel helpless because my daughter does not allow me to talk to the management because it might trouble her. For the past one week, the parking fees has become a serious issue between the college management and students. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
“If a student is found without an ID card in the campus, he has to pay Rs 100 as fine. If found with a cellphone (whether it is being used or not), one has to pay Rs 500,” he has said.

He said the semester and exam fees for colleges coming under the VTU is Rs 550, but students are made to pay Rs 600. According to the CET, one has to pay an annual fees of Rs 28,090 for the BE course. “In addition, an extra ‘college fees’ of Rs 15,000 has to be paid here.

And no receipt is issued.When I contacted the management, they said it’s a management policy not to issue receipts,” the parent has charged.

The college fees, which was Rs 12,000 till last year, was increased by Rs 3,000 this year. “When some students wrote to the management asking it to reduce it, few students who wrote the letter were booked under ‘drug peddling’ by the management,” he said.

“If these charges seem false or exaggerated, visit Orkut or Facebook and you will know the truth,” he has said.

Meanwhile, repeated attempts to contact the principal has gone in vain.