CHENNAI: The Parents Association of Deemed Universities has appealed to the student community to stop violence on deemed university campuses and return to the classrooms.

The newly formed association also accused rumour mongers and miscreants of spreading false information about the educational status of deemed universities, in a deliberate attempt at "marring the reputation of the universities and related institutions.''

"This will only jeopardise the career prospects of students and the credibility of the institutions where they study,'' S. Ramanathan, spokesperson of the newly formed association, comprising parents of about 15 students from institutions such as the Sathyabama Deemed University, SRM Deemed University, SASTRA and Vellore Institute of Technology, told reporters here on Wednesday.

Managements' assurance

The stand-off between the AICTE and the UGC over granting approval for technical courses and the resultant student unrest has made it difficult for the normal system of education to continue and "even students who have been recruited through campus placement drives are now apprehensive,'' Mr. Ramanathan said. "The managements had assured that they would abide by whatever the courts say in the matter. Unfortunately, rumours have been spread on the validity of the deemed university degrees, requirement of AICTE approval and job prospects for the students. In some cases, miscreants had exploited the situation, thus escalating the unrest,'' he added.

Media blamed

Terming as "disappointing'' the AICTE's act of issuing a public notice warning that certain courses in DUs were not approved, Savithri Prasad, secretary of the association, also accused sections of the media of sensationalising the issue.

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