Latest news with #PondicherryUniversity
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Pondicherry University's UPSC coaching for People with Disabilities, deadline pushed to June 10
Pondicherry University has extended the deadline for applying for the year-long free UPSC coaching programme, exclusively for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to June 10. A press note from the University said interested persons with disabilities can apply by filling up the Google form and uploading the required supportive documents on or before the stipulated last date. The course jointly organised by the Higher Education for Persons with Special Needs (HEPSN) and the Centre for Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI) of Pondicherry University is financially aided by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Only selected candidates will be intimated to join the classes. A high-level selection committee has been nominated to carry out admissions and the decision of the committee will be final. The course is open to PWDs aged 20 to 41 years, with an annual family income of less than ₹8 lakh, who have completed a degree, or are set to appear/appeared for their final semester and those having a Unique Disability Identity Card. The entire coaching will be provided through physical mode only. Accommodation will be arranged inside the university campus for outstation candidates, the University said.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'A direct threat to constitutional freedoms..': New Code of Conduct at Pondicherry University triggers student backlash
The release of Pondicherry University Disciplinary Rules and Code of Conduct for Students, has ignited a wave of protests among the student community. The code was formally notified on May 24, 2025. Issued under Statutes 8(1) and 30 of the Pondicherry University Act, 1985, the new regulations aim to enforce stricter discipline but have drawn criticism for being authoritarian and vague. The code, which applies to all Regular, Part-time, Distance, and Online Learning students, outlines penalties for a range of infractions. These include fines of up to Rs 6,000 for 'acts of moral turpitude' and up to Rs 10,000 for participating in protests—including hunger strikes, sit-ins, and group bargaining—within 100 metres of any academic or administrative building. Repeat offenders may face eviction from hostels for up to two semesters. The university administration insists the regulations are in line with standards followed by other Central universities. 'The code is intended to maintain discipline and a healthy academic environment,' said Y. Venkat Rao, Dean of Student Welfare (DSW), adding that the university is now utilizing a provision from the Pondicherry University Act, 1985, which had remained dormant for decades. Rao emphasized that the Proctorial Board's composition includes representatives from minority communities, women, and the Northeast region. 'We've ensured due process and natural justice in the disciplinary framework,' he added. However, the Students' Council of Pondicherry University and a coalition of student organizations under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) have condemned the regulations as authoritarian. The Students' Council, in its own statement titled 'Resist the Fascist Onslaught', alleged that the code introduces undefined moral standards that could be used to target dissenting voices. They raised concerns about the broad and ambiguous language used, such as 'decorous behaviour' and 'acts lowering the status of the university.' In a joint statement, the JAC—comprising ASA, AISF, BSF, Fraternity Movement, MSF, NSUI, and SIO—called the move 'a blueprint for administrative overreach and the silencing of dissent.' 'This is not a mere disciplinary code, but a direct threat to constitutional freedoms and democratic engagement on campus,' said in the JAC statement.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
V-C inaugurates open air theatre, selfie-points at Pondicherry University
Pondicherry University has launched a host of facilities, including an open air theatre. Prakash Babu, Vice-Chancellor, who formally opened the theatre, said the facility was aimed at fostering creativity of the youth on campus. The open air theatre is a stage for not only cultural events, but also for informal intellectual discourse among the students and scholars, he said. The Vice-Chancellor later inaugurated the office of the Proctorial Board of the University. The Pondicherry University Proctorial Board Regulations, he said, were formulated after careful reference of other Central universities by a duly-constituted committee to maintain discipline and ensure code of conduct among students on the campus. (The decision to impose a code of conduct had drawn condemnation from the Pondicherry University Students' Council which had stated that 'the measure was a way of forcing undefined moral standards which could be weaponised against students voicing dissent.' Eventually, this would lead to 'criminalising expression and participation and silencing of dissent with punishments that overreach legal boundaries', the Council feared.) Y. Venkata Rao, Dean, Students' Welfare contended that the provision for Proctorial Board was as per the Pondicherry University Act, 1985. With the University expanding and adding courses with a large number of students enrolling, it was necessary to constitute the Proctorial Board to ensure that disciplinary processes were followed by adhering to principles of natural justice and teaching and learning activities were carried out smoothly without any disturbances. The composition of the Board has a broad representation of members from minorities, women and North-East region in order to ensure fairness in its functioning, he said. The V-C also inaugurated two selfie-points on the premises in different locations. Sibi. P.S., Deputy Dean, Students' Welfare, K. Tharanikkarasu, Director, Studies, Clement Sagayaradja Lourdes, Director, Culture, Rajneesh Bhutani, Registrar (in-charge), Vijay Kumar, Librarian, deans of schools, heads of the departments, faculty members, officers, staff and students participated.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Students irked over Pondicherry varsity's new code of conduct
The notification of a Proctorial Board Regulations and code of conduct for students and scholars of the Pondicherry University on Saturday has triggered a row between the student community and the administration. The code of conduct, which seeks to enforce discipline on the campus, uses broad terms such as 'decorous manner' of behaviour and provides for imposing a penalty of up to ₹6,000 for 'any act of moral turpitude'. Besides, the university has included hunger strikes, dharnas, group bargaining and any other form of protest within 100-metre radius of any academic and administrative building as an offence with possible punishments including fine up to ₹10,000 and up to two semesters' eviction from the hostel. 'Silencing dissent' Condemning this, the Pondicherry University Students' Council said that this was a way of introducing undefined moral standards 'which could be weaponised against students voicing dissent'. The council accused the university administration of 'criminalising expression and participation' and 'silencing dissent' with punishments that 'overreach legal boundaries'. However, Y. Venkat Rao, Dean of Student Welfare, defended the codes saying they are in line with regulations enforced in other Central universities and are intended to maintain discipline among the students for a healthy academic environment on the Campus. He said the provision for Proctorial Board, as per the Pondicherry University Act, 1985, was left unused for nearly 40 years, but with the university expanding and adding courses, it became necessary to constitute the board to ensure that disciplinary processes were carried out by following principles of natural justice without any disturbance to curricular activities. He added that 'composition of the board consists of all categories including representation from minority, women and Northeast region'. The council, however, contended that the code listed activities of anti-national nature among 'misconducts of level 1', while protests near the academic and administrative building was listed as 'misconduct of level 2'. It questioned the logic behind such classification of misconducts. The council has added that the code, which rules out appeals in cases where only fines are imposed and gives the Proctorial Board power to take suo motu cognisance of offences, gives unchecked powers to Chief Proctor and undermines democratic processes and called for withdrawal of the regulations.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Pondicherry University releases global study on invasive species
PUDUCHERRY: Pondicherry University Vice-Chancellor P. Prakash Babu on Friday released a new book titled Prosopis Juliflora: Attributes, Impact, Utilization, published by Elsevier and Academic Press. The book offers a comprehensive study of the invasive species Prosopis juliflora, commonly known as seemai karuvelam. Compiled after years of research by former professor S. A. Abbasi and his team at Pondicherry University, the book explores sustainable and economically viable uses of the plant's biomass. It also features contributions from global researchers, providing an international perspective on managing one of the world's most aggressive and ecologically damaging weeds. Prosopis juliflora has severely impacted biodiversity in regions such as Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, displacing native vegetation through its allelopathic properties, which hinder the growth of nearby plants. In 2022, several writ petitions were filed in the Madras High Court seeking government action to control its spread. Prakash Babu stated that the book is expected to guide global efforts not only to contain the plant but also to explore ways of converting it into a valuable resource for both ecological restoration and economic gain.
