Latest news with #Sivaprasad
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
KTU plans to scrap year-out system for BTech amid academic crisis
T'puram: Amid the burgeoning administrative and academic crisis at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), interim vice-chancellor (VC) K Sivaprasad said he would initiate steps to abolish the year-out system for BTech courses in colleges affiliated with the university. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Under this system, students are expected to obtain a certain number of credits for promotion to semesters five and seven. "In my capacity as VC, I would initiate steps to implement the abolishment of the year-out system in KTU. The final decision rests with the board of governors," Sivaprasad told TOI. On Wednesday, SFI representatives had met him with a demand to abolish this system. Ever since the introduction of the year-out system, student unions were opposing it. Following protests, the number of minimum credits insisted upon by the university in the early years was lowered. But still, thousands of students failed to obtain the minimum credit required to register for semesters five and seven. As per rules, a student should clear at least 21 of the 38 credits from semesters 1 and 2 for registration in semester five. For semester 7 registrations, students will need a minimum of 47 of the 82 credits from semesters one to four. Following the demand of students and parents, KTU waived the minimum credit criteria year after year. It was argued that the minimum credit criteria left thousands of students in the lurch, prompting many to opt for colleges in Tamil Nadu or Karnataka to complete their engineering studies. KTU founder VC Kuncheria P Issac quit his post following constant pressure on him to dilute the year-out system he insisted on to ensure academic quality in engineering education. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Responding to the fresh move, Issac said the move would be a retrograde step and a total disrespect towards academics. "The curriculum envisages assessment. Formative assessments are designed to monitor student progress and provide feedback to improve learning and summative assessments are conducted at the end of a course to evaluate overall learning and assign grades, which can include one supplementary chance. This is a practice followed in the best universities and such universities are known for their quality of education," he said. As per National Education Policy (2020), students can exit UG programmes after one or two years with a certificate or diploma. Specifically, a certificate is awarded after completing one year of study and a diploma after two years. This policy is to encourage students to change their pathway, take a break, return and complete it at their ease. Student bodies, rather than taking populist measures, should consider ways and means of providing quality education, he said.
Scroll.in
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Kerala moves SC against governor's appointment of interim VCs at two universities
The Kerala government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging Governor Rajendra Arlekar's decision to appoint Ciza Thomas and K Sivaprasad as interim vice-chancellors of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences and the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Onmanorama reported. The state government has submitted in its petition that the appointments, made by the governor in his capacity as the ex-officio chancellor of state universities, bypassed the procedures prescribed by the Supreme Court. It added that the governor made the decision unilaterally without consulting the government. The case stems from a notification issued by the former governor on November 27, 2024, appointing Thomas and Sivaprasad as interim vice-chancellors of the digital university and the technological university. On May 19, a single bench of the Kerala High Court struck down both appointments but allowed the incumbents to continue until May 27 to avoid disruption. A division bench of the High Court later upheld the ruling, saying the governor could appoint temporary vice-chancellors for only up to six months, and only on the basis of recommendations from the state government. The court also directed the government to propose names of qualified candidates, as prescribed by the University Grants Commission, for temporary appointments until permanent vice-chancellors were selected. The government then submitted a panel of three nominees for each post. However, instead of appointing from the panel, the governor approached the Supreme Court, Onmanorama reported. On July 31, the Supreme Court said the Kerala governor can appoint temporary vice-chancellors to both universities until permanent appointments are made, The Indian Express reported. While issuing the notification for the reappointment of Thomas and Sivaprasad on August 1, Arlekar cited the Supreme Court order. The Kerala government, in its petition, contended that the court order also specified that such a notification must be issued in accordance with Section 13(7) of the Kerala Technology University Act and Section 11(10) of the Digital University Act. These provisions require the appointment of temporary vice-chancellors from a panel recommended by the Kerala government, which was not followed, the state government submitted, according to Onmanorama . In 2023, the Kerala government had attempted to remove the governor as the chancellor of state universities, with the Assembly passing a bill to that effect. This was done amid a clash between the government and former Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. Khan had referred the legislation to the president, who has not yet granted it assent. In May 2024, the Kerala High Court cancelled four nominations made by Khan to the senate of the University of Kerala and said that his role as the chancellor did not allow him 'unbridled power'.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala Governor spurns reconciliation efforts by LDF govt, reappoints Ciza Thomas and K. Sivaprasad as DUK, KTU interim V-Cs
In a move that has sparked fresh controversy, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reappointed Ciza Thomas and K. Sivaprasad as the interim Vice-Chancellors of Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) on Friday (August 1, 2025). The decision defies the reconciliation efforts spearheaded by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other State Ministers. The reappointments also effectively undermine the State government's attempts to ease growing tensions with the Governor, who, in his capacity as Chancellor of State-run universities, has been at odds with the administrative dispensation over various issues. Supreme Court judgment The appointments come in the wake of a Supreme Court judgment, which the State government firmly believes, mandates that the Chancellor should consult the government before appointing Vice-Chancellors. State Law Minister P. Rajeeve told mediapersons that the move amounts to an 'open challenge' against the Supreme Court judgment. Notably, the move has been made by a person holding a Constitutional position, he added. 'The appointments have not been made in accordance with specific provisions cited by both the Supreme Court and the Kerala High Court. It also violates the requirement of consulting the State government,' he said. Raj Bhavan stance However, Raj Bhavan has maintained that the reappointments of Ms. Thomas and Mr. Sivaprasad comply with the Supreme Court's directive and the relevant provisions of the laws governing the universities. According to the Raj Bhavan notification, the interim Vice-Chancellors will hold office for six months or until regular appointments are made. The State government had previously submitted panels of three nominees for each position in accordance with a Kerala High Court order regarding temporary Vice-Chancellors. However, this marks the second time that Raj Bhavan has disregarded the government's recommendations, the first instance being when Ms. Thomas and Mr. Sivaprasad were initially appointed on November 27 last. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu reiterated her criticism of the Governor's actions, accusing him of undermining the government's authority in the management of public universities, a day ago. She alleged that the present Governor and his predecessor, motivated by political interests, have both functioned in blatant violation of their Constitutional duties. Indicating the possibility of further legal wrangles, Mr. Rajeeve said the government will apprise the apex court of its apprehensions when the case is taken up for consideration.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- The Hindu
Bus driver killed in accident in Kochi
The driver of a private bus died after a truck, allegedly driven in a rash and negligent manner, rammed the bus along the underpass below the Kundannoor flyover on Saturday (July 19, 2025) around 7.45 a.m. The deceased was identified as Tharoor Sivaprasad of Cherthala. There were no passengers in the bus at the time of the accident. The truck was headed towards the junction on Maradu-Thevara road. The bus was travelling along the service road of Aroor-Vyttila NH 66. Though Sivaprasad was rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to injuries at 10.55 am. The Maradu police have registered a case against the truck driver based on the bus conductor's statement. The case was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 281 (rash driving) and 106 (1) (causing death by negligence).
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SFI to boycott classes on July 10 protesting against Kerala Governor
The Students' Federation of India (SFI) has announced that it will boycott classes on Thursday (July 10, 2025) to protest against Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar's 'attempt to saffronise State-funded universities' in Kerala. SFI State president M. Sivaprasad told reporters on Wednesday that college and school students allied with the SFI would cut classes and march to Central government offices across the State against Mr. Arlekar's attempt to 'undermine the autonomy of public-funded universities in the State.' Mr. Sivaprasad also warned that SFI activists would boycott 'temporary Vice-Chancellors' appointed by Raj Bhavan to 'pursue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) Hindu majoritarian, anti-minority, right-wing nationalist, revanchist and divisive higher education sector agenda.' He accused the Kerala Students Union (KSU) of turning its back on the widespread protests for 'democracy and secularism' on campuses. He accused Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan of reining in the KSU to aid the RSS. The SFI stated that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were in collusion within the State's higher education sector. 'Notably, the Chancellor had nominated Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders to the Calicut varsity senate. The Senate members have since been permanent fixtures at RSS programmes,' Mr. Sivaprasad said. Slams Satheesan The SFI took strong exception to Mr. Satheesan's purported statement that the SFI protests at the Kerala University campus in Thiruvananthapuram were hooliganism abetted by the police. Mr. Sivaprasad said the SFI 'did not need the cover of power' to fight for its causes, as Mr Satheesan had alleged. 'As many as 30 SFI leaders are in judicial remand for protesting against the Governor's bid to saffronise higher education at the Senate Hall campus in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Many sustained injuries after grappling with police', he said. Mr. Sivaprasad accused Mr. Satheesan of being 'a covert RSS sympathiser.' 'Mr. Satheesan genuflecting before a portrait of an RSS ideologue at a Sangh Parivar function is still viral on social media,' he added. Satheesan reiterates stance Meanwhile, Mr. Satheesan reiterated his stance that the SFI had disrupted varsity functioning and imperilled the future of students by trespassing on the Senate Hall office with law enforcement's 'tacit approval'. He told reporters in Kochi that SFI workers had singled out KSU activists for attacks on college campuses. Mr. Satheesan said the Congress was in the forefront of the fight against the Governor's bid to saffronise State-funded universities, and that the Opposition 'did not require the SFI's endorsement.'
