CHENNI : Anna University has suspended 40 students of five self-financing engineering colleges from all educational activities for two years, in connection with the answer paper scam earlier this year.

"The university syndicate has decided to debar them for their involvement in the scam. They can neither attend classes nor take any university examinations during the suspension period,'' Vice-Chancellor D.Viswanathan told reporters on Wednesday.

In May it was found that students of Crescent Engineering College, SRM Engineering College, Valliammai Engineering College, Bharat Engineering College and Tagore Engineering College had switched semester examination answer sheets before evaluation, with the help of daily-wage labour of the university.

A Chennai City Central Crime Branch probe unearthed a network that was helping students, who were desperate to clear arrears, to switch answer sheets. Investigations are still on to nab the other culprits, Dr. Viswanathan said.

The university is taking a series of measures to eliminate such exam-related malpractices. It will ensure proper transport and handling of the answer sheets. Examination reforms such as including 30 objective-type questions are being implemented.

Second campus

The university has sought 500 acres of land from the State government for a second campus at Siruseri on Old Mahabalipuram Road for setting up an institute of excellence and the National Institute of Science. In all, around 1000 acres of land would be needed. The campus will house research centres in disciplines such as information technology and nano-technology, technology incubators/ventures/consortia. The aim is to attain global standards of excellence and attract foreign students, Dr. Viswanathan said.

"Around Rs. 500 crores will be sought from the Central and State governments and nationalised banks for the purpose. The National Institute of Science will be set up with help from the UGC," he added.

Convocation

The university will host its 26th annual convocation on Thursday in which 52,285 candidates will receive degrees. A total of 1,704 civil engineering degrees, 6,950 mechanical engineering, 7,751 electrical engineering, 30,499 information and communication engineering, 1,328 technology, 72 architecture and planning, 1,390 science and humanities and 2,591 management sciences degrees will be given away, 211 of them in person.

K. Ramalingam, chairman, Airports Authority of India, will be awarded a doctoral degree honoris causa.

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and Education Minister C.Ve Shanmugam, Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor respectively of the university, will participate. Sanmar Group Chairman N. Sankar will deliver the convocation address.

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