A significant number of students and faculty members are advocating for the rescheduling of first-semester examinations for first-year postgraduate students across colleges associated with the University of Calicut (CU).
The university’s notification, released on September 26, states that these pivotal exams are set to commence on November 12. Among the prominent voices calling for this change is Arun Karippal, an assistant professor at Sree Kerala Varma College in Thrissur, who has formally submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor P. Raveendran outlining the need for a revised timetable.
In his appeal, Mr. Karippal highlighted that postgraduate admissions were finalized as late as September 12. Subsequent disruptions due to the Mahanavami and Vijaya Dashami holidays, coupled with college student union elections, significantly curtailed teaching days. Furthermore, the semester included 18 weekend holidays. Collectively, these factors prevented the completion of the mandatory 90 instructional days for the first semester. Mr. Karippal emphasized the importance of providing students with ample time for thorough study, meaningful discussions, essential research orientation, and comprehensive internal evaluations. He argued that upholding these principles is crucial for maintaining the university’s academic integrity and safeguarding students’ best interests.
Sources indicate that students are adamantly requesting the university to re-evaluate the examination schedule. Their primary demand is to guarantee that a minimum of 90 instructional days are effectively delivered in each semester before any examinations are formally set.
As of Tuesday, October 14, university officials confirmed that a decision regarding the schedule alteration has not yet been made. The matter is anticipated to be brought before a Syndicate standing committee on examinations for discussion in the near future.