Periyar University struggling for space

Updated on: Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Salem: An unusual delay in completion of construction work at the Salem Periyar University has affected all the academic activities, according to reliable sources.

By and large, the university has 18 study and research departments. Space has become a major constrain in campus and the varsity is unable to allocate adequate space for laboratories and research activity. Several research scholars do not have enough space to carry out their work.

Three years ago, the university had come out with a plan to construct two science blocks with two floors each, student amenities centre, office for the Controller of Examinations and few other facilities. The ground floor of the science blocks and the office for the Controller of Examinations was completed two years ago. Then the work was abandoned abruptly.

Teachers say the varsity fails adopt guidelines provided by the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding space requirements for post-graduate courses. The laboratories for post-graduate courses are run in small rooms and lack equipment needed for research and development activity. And, this year the university was forced to conduct the paper evaluation in an affiliated college owing to space constraint.

Vice-Chancellor M. Thangaraju blamed the Public Works Department for causing delays in construction though the university had adequate funds. 'We will conduct a meeting with the PWD officials to discuss the status of the work

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