University of Pune goofs-up again

Marks 25 engineering students absent for electronics paper though they appeared for exam; officials unfazed, say such mistakes routine

University of Pune goofs-up again

Marks 25 engineering students absent for electronics paper though they appeared for exam; officials unfazed, say such mistakes routine

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Examinations goof-ups and malpractices seem to have become the norm at the University of Pune (UoP), so much so that officials there are least perturbed by them.

The examination department of UoP marked 25 students absent for a paper they appeared for. Asked about it, the nonchalant reply of the officers was that these are routine mistakes and there was a 'procedure' to rectify it.

A few days ago, UoP released the results of first-year engineering students. However, about 25 students of Indira College of Engineering and Management (ICEM) were shocked when they received their mark sheets.

They had been marked absent and hence failed in the electronics paper even though they had appeared for it.

Alarmed, the students rushed to the college authorities, who took up the matter with the UoP officials.

Dr R V Kulkarni, director of ICEM, agreed that many students were marked absent for no fault of theirs. "The error happened from the University's side and we have sent them all the requisite details as well as request to make the corrections. It is understandable as the staff is overworked and after all there is scope for human error," he said adding that he was hoping to see the mistake rectified in a week's time.

Asked about it, controller of examinations at UoP, Shivaji Ahire, was not sure about when the mistake would be rectified.

"I have heard about some goof-up but we don't know where the error has occurred. We have to first release all results of remaining students like those studying in third year and after that we will look at requests for revaluation and correction of mistakes," he said. When pointed out that this mistake could cost the students a year, he said such mistakes could happen and were not egregious.

'Staff overworked'
"These mistakes happen routinely and we have a procedure to resolve them. We will ask the college to submit attendance details and then look for records of each individual student and rectify any mistake. As far as why the error occurred, about half the staff is busy with Census work and the remaining half are overworked so they cannot be blamed," he said.

It may not be a big deal for the UoP officials, but the affected students do not agree.

Abhishek Sharma, who hails from Gujarat and is currently studying at ICEM, said that he is nervous as any delay could mean the loss of a year.

"Actually the college authorities are doing all the follow-ups and have asked us to stay calm so I hope they will resolve everything. This is my fourth semester and if I want to go to the next, I have to clear the first and this is my last chance. The only fear I have is of a delay because in April we have submissions and exams and we won't be able to do anything then, post which the fifth semester will start. Before that, I first need to clear these examinations," he said.

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