...continued from page 1
(FEE HIKE RATIONALE UNRAVELLED)
Apart from inflation, the other 3-5% of the fees hike is on account of aggressive
performance improvement and development, he adds. BITS, as an institute
constantly perseveres to improve its infrastructure and academic experience
with an ambitious target to double the productivity within the next 12-18 years
in terms of research output, infrastructure and academic excellence. In order
to meet this target in the stipulated period, they would ideally have had to
increase the fees by 8% but they decided to start with 6% and elongate the
growth time period instead if necessary. To grow even by 6 percent, they need
at least 3- 4% increase in annual investment which is what makes up the rest of
the fees hike.
It is but fair, that we are informed about where exactly this money is being
spent. Talking on the matter, he talked about plans for new infrastructure,
more research focused faculty members, increased research grants and
improved brand building. Effort is being made to arrange for international
exposure for faculty so that they can enhance the teaching experience for
students by integrating new pedagogical methods observed at these places. An
improvement in placement scenario and better sports facilities are also high on
priority. Lastly, the climb in rankings of BITS was also emphasized, especially
in the international QS rankings as a result of these measures.
Apart from the money generated from student fees, BITS is tapping other
revenue sources as well. The institute has procured several research grants from
government organizations like Department of Science and Technology (DST).
In fact, unbeknownst to most people, there are currently 70 projects in the
three campuses which are being financed by the government of India. He also
expressed hesitance in procuring government aid any further as it might ruin
the autonomous functioning of the institute which has greatly contributed to its
positive reputation.
WILP (Work Integrated Learning Program), the industrial training program by
BITS is also being rigorously worked on and expanded for increased revenue
generation.
The institute is also implementing several cost-cutting measures. The Massive
Open Online Courses (MOOCs) introduced recently are for example,
decreasing faculty costs and the introduction of the telepresence technology
has led to a significant reduction in travel related costs.
A suggestion to implement the fees hike only for incoming batches, which are
more likely to avail the aforementioned benefits was shot down saying the fee
structure shall remain uniform across batches. Answering concerns raised over
affordability for the financially weak students, the vice-chancellor elaborately
talked about the scholarship structure of the institute. The Merit Cum Need
(MCN) scholarships with a fee waiver of 80%, 40% and 25% are offered to a
total of 21% students across the three campuses. Clubbed with the Merit
scholarships, it extends to 25% students. Students unanimously suggested a
review of the allocation procedure of the MCN scholarships highlighting
several unfair cases. The Director and the Chief Warden thereby appealed to
students to report cases of unfair allocation with assurance of anonymity. The
Practice School fees for students have also been reduced from 50% of the
semester fees to 35% of the semester fees.
The session concluded after a fairly long question-answer round addressing
concerns from students across the three campuses.
...continued from page 1
...continued from page 1
(POLICY CHANGES)
(THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’)
THE SELFIE SYSTEM
THE NEW ACADEMIC BLOCK
Much to the students’ despair, many instructors have started diligently passing
around attendance sheets, even in lectures. Students have registered selfies,
against which their e-Attendance pictures will be compared. Attendance has
shot up because nobody is sure whether it is mandatory or not. It is not,
confirms the Chief Warden. Attendance is being noted only for internal
records, to confirm the popu larity of a given class and to supplement faculty
feedback. Unless otherwise stated, at present, it has no weight in grading.
The NAB has been hogging its own share of attention too, with the whole of
the IPC unit and five departments - Humanities, Management, Mathematics,
Economics and Computer Science being shifted here. FD I, which previously
hosted the IPC and the Computer Science department too is about to
undergo a full scale renovation, with chemical and civil labs occupying the
entire ground floor. Plans for faculty lounges and seminar rooms in all the tobe-renovated academic buildings are in order and tenders are being floated.
WiFi is available in all these buildings but student access is yet to be granted.
Singh points out that teachers are often biased towards attendance records be
it while counselling students or while grading them. Attendance will soon
become at least unofficially compulsory, he says.
IN OTHER NEWS
We’ve heard that BITS might consider shifting to a five-day week, but Prof.
Das says that, as of now, that possibility is logistically impossible. SR Bhawan
will continue to stand as long as older Bhawans are being renovated. All
curfews will stay as they were last semester. Breathalysers, though not
currently in use, might be introduced in the near future.
A DYING BRAND?
Both Bhatt and Singh point out that these changes in the pipeline hit hard at
the very roots of campus traditions. The club-department culture, which, apart
from making lives on campus infinitely happier, has churned out fantastic
artists and leaders over the years, will suffer. This reduced freedom, coupled
with centralized placements and this campus’ inferior infrastructure and
location compared to the other campuses, will prove to be detrimental for the
brand of BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, they opine.
The SU leaders are already in dialogue with the Institute authorities and they
plan to channel student unrest on these matters into sensible argument that,
they feel, can pose an impediment to these changes. There is also an ace in the
SU’s pocket, they say – alumni support is, by far, with the students.
One can only wait and watch to see how these changes amalgamate
themselves into BITSian life, while hoping for, at the least, normalcy. More
Parivartan, anyone?
One nook of the NAB to definitely look out for is the student breakout area,
a lounge-like area with sofas et al., where students can meet and discuss
projects etc.
Dr.. Mittal also tells EPC that designs for 156 new houses (near C'not) for
non-teaching staff have been laid and these should be up within three years.
He also reveals the coming of a kids zone and a clubhouse for faculty.
Now for those of you who're wondering why a few FD III classrooms are
being turned into piles of rubble, then know that an NMR machine (400
MHz, with auto sample) worth over two crore Rupees is about to be housed in
there - three rooms with a total of eight air conditioners is what this awesome
machine requires. This newly acquired property of BITS is state-of-the-art,
and is a multi-purpose facility across all the campuses. According to a
professor in the Chemistry Department, this machine would “greatly enhance
the level of research” in chemistry, biology and pharmacy. A Biology Lab is
also expected to come up near the IC.
And what's this sudden locking up of Shiv-G? Apparently, the Birla
Education Trust (BET) under who's purview it falls, is planning to maintain a
single entry point and charge a tourist fee for entry into Shiv-G. The only
consolation for you regular visitors is that we haven't been able to confirm
this piece of information yet.
All in all however, very promising signs for some serious and quick
infrastructural development on campus!