SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Dec 8: Ranchi University is set to outsource students’ exams to private agencies. Preparations are underway to hand over certain responsibilities of the examination department of the university to a private agency.
On the other hand, various student outfits have opposed the idea and protested against outsourcing of examinations. They believe that the university will then turn a blind eye to the problems of the students. They also said that students will be harassed if work is done by external agencies and will even face increased financial burdens.
Student organisations have further argued that the work of external agencies in the university will encourage corruption. This will also force students to work harder to get documents as they will have to go to both the agency and the university in case of problems.
Meanwhile, Ranchi University argues that its students live in far-flung areas like Khunti and Simdega. In such a situation, if there is any mistake in the admit card for the exam or there is a problem in downloading the admit card, then such students are unnecessarily worried and they may also miss their exams.
The university further claims that the admit card will be generated immediately by semi-automation, which students can immediately download on their mobile and take a printout at any cyber cafe. Services of similar agencies are being taken in other external universities including Delhi University. Notably, external agencies are working in examination departments of two state universities including Kolhan and Binoba Bhave University.
According to the university, the situation is such that it is necessary to keep the certificates of the students in the DG Locker. If any student of the university lives in America and needs his certificate then he cannot come to Ranchi for the certificates. This is why such a system is necessary.
Dr Smriti Singh, PRO, Ranchi University said, “Half of the work in the examination department of Ranchi University is still being done through semi-automation. NAAC has clear instructions to make the examination system paperless. The university will not give the examination department to any private agency, but the activities of the examination department will be done only through the commerce department of the central government.”
Dr Raj Kumar Sharma, Examination Controller, Ranchi University said, “All responsibilities of the examination department will not be outsourced. The department will still evaluate the answer sheets in-house. Only responsibilities including filling examination forms, issuing admit cards among others will be taken care of the by agencies.”
