Karnataka State Open University logjam: Vice Chancellors for proficiency test'

Bengaluru: With more than three lakh students being hit by the derecognition of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Forum of Former Vice Chancellors of Karnataka University (FVCK) have suggested a 'Proficiency Test' to ensure degrees to deserving candidates.

According to FVCK, the ‘Proficiency Test’ may be conducted to all the three lakh students, who have no validity of their degrees/diplomas through an objective test covering the entire syllabus of each course.

“This is similar to the Common Entrance Test (CET) or National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET) conducted to determine eligibility to pursue professional courses,” said Dr R.N. Sreenivas Gowda, secretary of the Forum.

The Forum has also suggested the KSOU officials and the state government to forward this suggestion to get a clearance from the University Grants Commission (UGC). “It can be pleaded to the UGC that the test can either by conducted by KSOU or be entrusted by any other national testing organisation that has already established credibility on such matters,” suggests FVCK.

 Earlier this month, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi had constituted a five member expert committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha to study and find alternatives to keep the varsity alive.

KSOU had filed a writ petition at the Karnataka High Court seeking directions to the UGC to clear the application for recognition which was submitted earlier this year.

Taking this into consideration, the Forum has also suggested the state government not to implement any recommendation of the committee.

As many as 3.94 lakh students had taken admission in June 2015 when the UGC derecognised the varsity and 19, 721 students who have completed various courses at the varsity are yet to receive their degrees.