EDUCATION

Agro course furrowed with problems
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The recently introduced course in Agro Processing Technology (APT) under the Chemical Engineering department of Panjab University is in the doldrums with freshers complaining of negligible classroom activities.

The department lacks an independent panel of faculty for the specialised course and relies on borrowing from other departments. To top it all, the department does not have laboratories concerned with the subject.

Sources said the department had highlighted the problems the course was facing in a letter to the university top officials. To top it all, the course is yet to get the approval of the National Council of Technical Education.

The department maintains that right at the outset the students are told to take admissions at their own risk.

Prof S.C. Jain, Chairperson, said he accepted certain problems that the course was facing. ‘‘This does not mean the scenario is as bleak as being presented or that we should give up. Arrangements are being made at the moment to arrange for the teaching faculty through communication with related faculties. The department needs to concentrate more on ways to overcome the handicaps’’, he added.

The students looking forward keenly to a solution at the earliest because they have their eyes set on participating in the Agro-Tech fair to be organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) later this year.

A student said that the biggest problem at the moment was the absence of teaching work. Only a couple of lectures were being organised. A student said they were also made to feel that the subject had little relevance. ‘‘We need a quick counselling session by the faculty at a forum where we are told about the status of the course’’, he added.

A senior teacher said ‘‘Finding faults in the planning of the course is not the need of the hour. It was necessary to install confidence in the children’’.

Professor Jain, however, said the problems were only a matter of a small period.

VC for CBI man in meeting
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — “It would be appreciated if a senior officer or officers of the CBI could be available on the day of the Senate meeting (August 13) so that if Senate desires any information about the Dr Sodhi Ram case , the officers could explain it to them”.

These views were expressed by Prof K.N.Pathak, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, here today.

School principal honoured
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — Ms Madhu Bahl, principal of KBDAV Centenary Public School was honoured by the Cabinet Minister of Punjab, Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, for her outstanding services in the field of education, art and culture at Tagore Theatre here on Wednesday.

Mr Garg appreciated the services rendered by Ms Bahl in uplift of the students in keeping with the modern times and inculcating moral and cultural values.

Her services in the field of art and theatre were also recognised by various theatre groups. She was presented a shawl and a memento by the theatre groups. The students of the school presented Rajasthani dance and a play “Court Martial” on the occasion.

Online test helps PEC students
From A Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — The final-year students of Punjab Engineering College faced the written test and interview and saw the result on the notice board the same day, thanks to online test for fast procedure of placement.

At Panjab Engineering College, six batches, consisting of 28 students each, took the computerised aptitude test. Every year, many companies visit this institute to select graduates for recruitment. Last year, 205 students were selected by 59 companies.

Mr Chopra, Chief Manager (Personnel) of TCS, said, "We do not fix the number of students to be absorbed in our company beforehand. The online system has made the selection procedure easier and faster." Mr Rajnish Parkesh, Principal of PEC, emphasised the need of computerising general examinations everywhere. Mr P.S. Satsanghi, In charge, Training and Placement Cell, said," This new technology will streamline the system of entrance tests."

The General Secretary of the committee of placement of final-year students, Mr Megh Varn Pant, found this system as per their requirement. The coordinator of the test conducted by TCS, Mr Vivek Talwar, said, "The mass installation can be made in two days, which is otherwise a long process. In a few minutes, a candidate can know the result."

The students gathered around the recruitment cell were also satisfied with the speedy result. "My efforts in the test will be declared in a short while, saving me from the anxiety of a long wait," said Preeti Raj, a final-year student. Mayank said, "I wish all exams to proceed in this fast manner, including college and school exams."

COURTS

HC dismisses Punwire appeal
By Our Legal Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Aug 10 — A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed the appeal filed by Punjab Wireless Systems Ltd, Mohali (Punwire) for setting aside the order passed by the Company Judge of the high court dated July 27, 2000, vide which the Judge had appointed provisional liquidator to take over the assets of the company. The appeal came up for hearing before the Chief Justice Mr A.B. Sahariya and Mr Justice V.K. Bali.

The order appointing the provisional liquidator was passed on a petition filed by H.S. Oberoi and Associate, Chandigarh, who alleged that the company was incapable of discharging its debts and winding up order should be passed. The company had agreed with the petitioner.