KARACHI, April 16: Senior officials of the University of Karachi have started survey of city colleges with a view to shift degree level examination centres for male candidates outside the varsity campus.
A source on KU campus said that high-ups of the KU were considering holding examinations of college male students at degree level in centres set up in colleges as well, which was in vogue till early 90s.
The KU pro-vice-chancellor, Dr Akhlaq Ahmad, and KU examinations controller Syed Anwar Zaidi and other officials visited three colleges to survey the seating capacity and related facilities from examination point of view on Saturday. The KU team inspected National College, Adamjee Science College and Islamia Arts and Commerce College.
Under the existing system the varsity conducted graduate level examinations for male candidates at centres established at different departments of the university, while women candidates appear in examinations at centres set up at women colleges in the city.
A senior college teacher recalled that the degree and masters exams of college students and external students were shifted to the university departments both for male and women candidates about 12 years back in the wake of reports that those were not being held in fair manner at colleges.
The shifting of examinations to the varsity was also prompted as the then city administration had been unable to adequately support the college principals as far as law and order and the interference of outsiders in the conduct of exams were concerned, the teacher added.
However, keeping in view the hardships of the woman candidates appearing at the KU, the authorities reverted to the old system some years back and started holding exams of woman candidates in selected 8-12 colleges, it was further learnt.
In addition to some political quarters, teachers of colleges for last couple of years have been demanding for shifting back the entire degree and master level examinations to colleges. On a similar plea from teachers, the matter was also considered last year, but things could not materialize accordingly as there left very little reaction time, said a KU official.
It is learnt that the KU wants not to transfer the entire male candidates’ examinations outside the campus as during these years, in addition to a befitting and manageable conduct, examinations had been a good source of income for KU teaching and non-teaching staff engaged for invigilation of candidates.
In order to overcome the accommodation problems, the university did hold examinations in rented tents as well, which caused inconvenience to candidates many a time, while cost a lot to the university in terms of money as well.
Last year, the KU examination department had proposed for erection of shades near the three entry gates of the university for about 6,000 candidates as a permanent and cost effective means. However, the matter appears to be put on backburner as the KU authorities have started working for shift of at least half of the candidates back to colleges, said the source.
It was viewed that such measures were necessary to reduce the traffic load on University Road in the days of college students examinations, while on the other hand departments of the university could also be freed of examination drill, which some time overburden the faculty members as well.
However, quarters concerned, including college authorities, still apprehended that conduct of examination of male candidates, free of all pressures and unfair means, would not be possible until strict security measures were taken and centres were neutralized of political and outside pressures.
Some of the teachers said that the university should take a uniform decision in the case of entire lot of candidates in question and avoid creating any division among the candidates. Appearing in exams on the campus is difficult for students as they have to spend considerable time and money on transport.
A source in the college circle said that the KU was in a mood to establish centres at 12 to 15 colleges, excluding those located in suburban areas, and as such it would be difficult for the university examination department to decide about candidates, whom to facilitate and accommodates in college centres and whom not to facilitate.
Another group of teachers opined that since teachers had been conducting the woman candidates exams in a foolproof and peaceful manner in colleges, the exams of male candidates should also be given outside the campus now, provided the security arrangements and protection to examination staff were ensured by authorities concerned.
Another view was that KU should also hold talks with the law enforcement agencies on the issue before any major shift from the existing pattern of examination conduct.
