MG University staff on the warpath

[sajiv]

MG University staff on the warpath

KOTTAYAM: Mahatma Gandhi University Employees Association (MGUEA) is planning intensive agitations, including strike, demanding creation of new posts in view of the increasing workload on the university staff.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Association general secretary K. Sherafuddeen said the University had totally banned creation of new posts since pre-degree was delinked in 1997. However, during the past 12 years, the number of affiliated colleges had increased to 237 from 105. During this period, 870 new courses have been introduced. In addition, the University has opened a large number of institutions in the self-financing stream directly under the University. This includes 72 off campus centres and a number of courses under the School of Medical Education, School of Technology and Applied Sciences and University College of Teacher Education.

To effectively implement the credit and semester system, it was imperative to increase the workforce, Mr. Sherafuddeen said. The 26th annual conference of the Association will get under way here on Wednesday. K. N. Panicker, vice-chairman of the Higher Education council, will inaugurate the two-day conference. The conference will decide on the future course of agitations.