Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

PSG unit of AUT opposes conferment of unitary university status

COIMBATORE: The unit of the Association of University Teachers (AUT) of the PSG Institutions has urged the State Government to drop the proposal of converting PSG Institutions into a unitary university.

Chairman of the unit N. Thirugnanasambandam told The Hindu that the meeting of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the unit on May 10 passed a resolution to this effect. “Now, ours is an aided college and hence we come directly under the government for all benefits, including pensionery benefits. But, once the colleges become part of the unitary university, everything will be subject to the decision of Syndicate. All terms and conditions for hiring and firing will be done at the discretion of the management,” he said.

He also apprehended that all concessions that the students enjoyed in terms of tuition fee waiver, free bus pass, scholarships and reservations would be done away with.

“The infrastructure of the institutions has come up largely due to the funds from the Government and University Grants Commission. Why should all this go into private hands? It is wrong to believe that this will enhance the quality of education. Students from economically and socially backward sections will be deprived of education in these institutions. Only the elite will be able to study because the fee structure will definitely increase. The only beneficiaries will be the management,” Mr. Thirugnanasambandam said.

Members belonging to other university teachers’ associations, representing colleges which have been converted into universities, have also joined hands with the PSG unit of AUT. They would jointly organise a demonstration in Chennai on May 13 in the presence of Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam leader Vijayakanth and founder of Pattali Makkal Katchi S. Ramadoss, opposing the government move.

They have planned a series of agitations like boycotting evaluation of examination papers from May 19 and going on a fast on May 27.

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