The AICTE had issued several warnings to the college against disobeying rules and
regulations
The future of around 300 students of Kingston Engineering
College in Barasat becomes uncertain after the All India Council for Technical Education
(AICTE) withdrew recognition to the college.
The AICTE had issued several warnings to the college earlier against disobeying
rules and regulations. This is the first time that the council has taken such an
extreme step.
The decision was taken on the ground that the institution has not yet acquired land
conversion papers. AICTE has informed the state higher education department and
West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT) of its decision to derecognize the college
which was granted affiliation in 2008.
There is inadequate infrastructure and the faculty is not up-to-the mark. Moreover,
there is land dispute which has possibly forced AICTE to withdraw recognition, said
a higher education department official.
Now, AICTE has instructed WBUT to request the higher education department to redistribute
existing students of the college among local engineering colleges in the vicinity.
We shall soon write to WBUT to which Kingston Engineering College is affiliated.
AICTE has also informed us that in case there is a trouble with norms, it will be
considered. The students will be given their desired stream in which they are currently
studying in Kingston college, added a source.
The only trouble which WBUT may face is in case colleges in the vicinity are filled
to their optimum capacity. The current AICTE rule does not entitle colleges to overshoot
their seat limits. They have promised to make necessary amendments and relax rules
as special cases, said the higher education department official.
A visit to the college on Thursday 28th July revealed unfinished structures. A well-stocked
library and decorated computer lab remained empty. The students had requested teachers
to let the days schedule get over early. We don't know what to do now, said Saugata
Banerjee, third-year electronics student. AICTE should have informed us about any
possibility of de-recognition during counselling, said Tuhin Mitra, another third-year
student from the same department. The 300 students studying in second and third
years are jittery about their future.
We have been assured by college authorities that we shall be re-distributed in other
colleges. But what about placements will the college we go treat us on par with
their own students during placements several students have come to study with bank
loans. Will the bank continue to offer us the loans questions Abir Dasgupta, third
year computer science student.
Shubhashish Nath, teacher of electrical and thermal power at the institute is dismayed
at the decision of AICTE. It was in 2008 when AICTE gave us the approval. The same
terms and conditions still exist. How could they suddenly de-recognize the college
now What will happen to the 42 teachers and around 36 staff who managed the college
all these years he asks.
The students are also worried about their mark sheets.
Courtesy: Times of India
