Coimbatore: The Association of University Teachers (AUT) has deplored, what it called, "unscrupulous" practice adopted by most of the universities in the State in granting affiliation to new colleges and courses violating University Statutes and Acts.

In a statement, N. Senthamarai, president of the association, alleged that the universities continued the practice despite repeated representations by teachers' organisations.

"Shockingly, a nascent university in the State has so far granted affiliation to 27 new colleges during 2005-6 academic year."

The University Statutes clearly laid down the time-frame and the procedure for grant of affiliation. Application for affiliation of new colleges\courses for the succeeding academic year must be sent to the university on or before October 31 of the current academic year and the Syndicate should consider it before November. "But, unfortunately, affiliation has been granted during the middle or even at the fag end of the academic year without taking into account the minimum requirement of 90 working days per semester on completion of which only students can appear for the examinations." He dismissed the claim of a university that the examinations for these students would be conducted after the statutory working days as "neither feasible nor acceptable."

He contended that it was the Syndicate that was empowered to address affiliation issues after a thorough discussion of the report of the Inspection Commission. "But, in practice, affiliation has been granted in the most cavalier manner by abrogating the powers of the Syndicate."

Prof. Senthamarai also pointed out that when the affiliation issue for eight new colleges was on the agenda for a university's Syndicate meeting, the Vice- Chancellor referred it to the Affiliation Committee without taking any decision. "The Affiliation Committee on its part has granted affiliation to these colleges throwing all norms to the dustbin." He contended that the Affiliation Committee was a non-statutory committee constituted to scrutinise the applications for affiliation and "has no authority to grant affiliation."

Hence, he urged the Vice-Chancellors to adhere to the University Statutes and Acts strictly in granting affiliation to new colleges and courses in the interest of higher education.

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