'University syndicates should work without political interference'

Kochi, June 7 (UNI) Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Dr P K Abdul Aziz today said varsity syndicates should not be a platform for political parties to wield power through their representatives.

Dr Aziz, who will take charge as VC of Aligarh Muslim University on June 11 said, ''Political parties are trying to influence the working of the syndicates by appointing their representatives.'' ''The syndicate should have able people as its members and there was no need to expand it to include more people,'' he noted.

Dr Aziz said the syndicates should be allowed to work independently and efficiently without any political interference.

Regarding the proposed Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Dr Aziz alleged that 'some forces' were stalling the prospects of the institute for fear of losing power in the syndicate.

Enumerating the achievements of the CUSAT during his two-and-a-half years tenure, Dr Aziz said the University had granted Rs 8 crore for various research projects last year.

The University had started new courses in nanotechnology, aerospace engineering and aircraft maintenance engineering to train students in new-age sciences, he added.

Dr Aziz said new centres were opened for science communication, weather forecast and tsunami studies at the University.

The University was utilising Rs 10 crore for upgrading the various departments and improving the internet connectivity to enable free flow of information, Dr Aziz said.

To expand its education-research facilities, the University had signed MoUs with various foreign universities in the US, UK, UAE, Japan, Korea and Germany.

He hoped that his experience in CUSAT would augur well for discharging his duties in Aligarh Muslim University.

UNI