University of Madras to increase exam, tuition fees by 30 per cent

Chennai: Facing one of the worst financial crises ever, the Syndicate of University of Madras has decided to increase the tuition and examination fees for distance and regular courses by 30%.

In a marathon meeting which was held for 6 hours on Monday, the syndicate passed several key resolutions including framing ethical guidelines for research thesis to prevent plagiarism.

The ethical guidelines will be along the lines of western universities. “Some of the fees were not revised for more than 17 years. It is not sustainable to run the courses with current fee structure,” a syndicate member said on condition of anonymity.

 “The decision was taken after comparing the fee with other universities. The move will strengthen the depleted financial resources of the university,” he said.
The decision will be placed in academic council and will be sent to the Governor-Chancellor’s approval. After which it will come into effect.

Chairing the first syndicate meeting after assuming office, P.Duraisamy, the new Vice-Chancellor of the Madras University, has given a clear road map in which direction the institution has to move ahead.

In his 10-point vision plan for the university, the V-C has reportedly wanted to make the entire university paperless in three years and go to digital mode. As per the plan, all administrative activities, student enrollment, payroll, human resource management, examination related works starting with examination registration to digitalizing the degree will be brought under e-governance.

The plan also includes improving the university’s position in NIRF rankings, revamping the courses and curriculum, enhancing the employability of the students and strengthening the research activities.

He also promised to revamp the courses and introduce newer programmes. The V-C also plans to bring the retired staff to teach in the university which is facing large number of vacancies in teaching positions.