Gujarat Technological University: Three years on, university yet to hold convocation

Updated on: Tuesday, November 29, 2011

With a master's in engineering degree from the newly-formed Gujarat Technological University (GTU) Vipul Bhavsar (name changed) was hoping to pursue a PhD in a prestigious American university. He has already received prospectuses from three universities and was dreaming of spending the next few years doing intense research in the US.

There is however one big hurdle that he is finding impossible to surmount. Vipul has only a provisional degree from GTU, something no foreign university will accept for admission. "Despite completing three years, GTU has not held convocation," Vipul says. And without convocation, I can't get my degree. This is truly heartbreaking."

Ever since GTU started, one batch each of diploma engineering, master's in engineering and master's in computer application (MCA) have passed out of the university. And yet, the one lakh-odd students, who have passed out and claim to be engineers and managers, have only provisional degrees. The reason: GTU has not formulated the rules needed before holding convocation. This, despite the fact that the university's board of governors consists of a number of top bureaucrats.

But GTU's problems do not end here. Staff is another issue that this newly formed seat of higher learning is dealing with. In fact, apart from vice-chancellor A K Aggarwal, it has just three permanent staff members, including the chief accounts officer, in-charge controller of examination and the accounts officer. The rest are all on deputation from engineering colleges.

"We don't have enough teachers to make our ends meet, and yet we have to loan out the handful of people we have to GTU," said the principal of a government engineering college in the state on condition of anonymity.

Sources said GTU plans to hold its first convocation some time in January or February. But till then the students who have passed out will have to make do with their provisional degrees.

Aggarwal told TOI, "We will hold the ceremony soon."

Times of India

Gujarat Technological University: Three years on, university yet to hold convocation

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