A) The Indian Express, Nov 16, 2009

B) The Times of India - Nov 15, 2009

New exam system at Besu, stress on overall grooming
Somdatta Basu, TNN 15 November 2009, 04:36am IST

KOLKATA: Copying in class tests or mugging up answers for semester examinations in engineering colleges has been a cause of concern for teachers. The Bengal Engineering and Science University (Besu), Shibpur, is mulling a new concept to weed out the rot. Besu vice-chancellor Ajay Ray wants to introduce the open-book system, though in a limited way.
The system allows students to consult class notes, reference books and calculators while answering questions. But those who have taken such tests admit that the process is not that easy as it sounds. Mugging up won't help in such tests. The preparation requires a good understanding of the subject, so that a student can build up his argument by organising data, examples and theory within a limited time.

If Ray has his way in the coming Besu executive council meeting, open-book tests will form a part of the examination reforms in the university. "We want to introduce the concept on an experimental basis. The questions will be different from the routine ones and extremely difficult. Students will be asked to formulate an answer by consulting class notes and reference books," said Ray.

However, the university wants a soft launch of the system. At the moment, the V-C's proposal is to allot only 10 marks to such open-book tests as part of the exam reforms.

This apart, the university also wants to improve the overall grooming of students and give due weightage to group discussions, viva, project works and presentation that students often face while seeking placements. "Our proposal is to allot around 20 marks for these categories in each subject," said Ray.

At present, Besu holds semester exams twice a year. "The evaluation process will also undergo a sea-change under the new process. Each student will get the answer script after each exam. This will help them identify the mistakes and improve themselves in the next semester. They will also be free to point out mistakes during evaluation by the teacher. Even the marks can be changed. I have also proposed that if a student has to leave the university during an exam due to an emergency, they should be given an opportunity to give a summer quarter exam. It will be held within one or two months of the regular examination that they could not take," Ray said.

The UGC had also proposed similar changes in the examination procedure at a meeting of vice-chancellors held in Chandigarh in the first week of November.

C) The Statesman - November 12, 2009

Besu to go the IIT way

Arunima Ghosh  
KOLKATA, 12 Nov: As a first for an enginneering college in West Bengal, the Bengal Engineering and Science University (Besu) has decided to show answer scripts to students after every semester examination.

This was decided at the recent faculty council meeting. The new system would start next semester onwards.

Till now, students were allowed to see their answer scripts only if they applied for a special permission through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Students had to file RTI applications to get a copy of their answer scripts.

The university authorities have now decided to fix a date after declaration of semester results on which students from all departments would be shown their answer scripts.
Currently, the university does not have any system of review, and students who feel that their marks have failed their expectations have no option but acceptance of the same.

Students often complained about unsatisfactory result, an official of Besu said. It was observed that the grievances of the students whenever not addressed properly led to unrest in the campus, the official added.

The new system would help in restoring the confidence of students on the university authorities and thereby maintain discipline within the campus, he said.
After viewing his answer script if a student felet that the script needed re-assessment, he can approach the concerned teacher, said the official.

The Vice-Chancellor of Besu, Prof Ajay Ray, said the system was followed in the IITs and it would make the examination system more transparent as well as build a healthy relationship between teachers and students.

Meanwhile, students look forward to the new system. Mr Abhinab Kumar, general secretary of students union of Besu said the system would also enbale students improve on their standards by giving them a fair idea about the areas they needed to work upon.

Besu is currently modifying its examination system to bring it at par with the IITs. Under the revised examination procedure, students and teachers would have to follow the academic calendar, teachers would have to evaluate answer scripts within a fixed time and declare results within the scheduled date.

D) The Telegraph, Nov 2, 2009

Issue Date: Monday , November 2 , 2009

Besu eyes green tech

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Bengal Engineering and Science University (Besu) could become the country’s first green university if plans for a Rs 20-crore green technology centre gets the Centre’s nod.

Besu vice-chancellor Ajay K. Ray met Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal last month with a detailed proposal for the centre.

“With energy consumption and greenhouse emission reduction becoming the focal point of all climate talks, we are carrying out research in renewable energy like solar and wind energy as well as fuel-cell technology to cut down emission,” said Ray. The university is also undergoing an energy audit and is planning to reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent in a year.

The green technology centre will be a part of the proposed Centre of Excellence for Green Energy and Sensor Systems. It “will introduce, practise and expand a sensible comprehensive strategy of green technology (including green energy and sensor systems), education and research in phases to improve lifestyle in environmentally-friendly and non-polluting ways.”

The establishment of the centre is significant with the Union government slated to launch Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, which aims to generate 20,000MW of solar power by 2020, on November 14.

As part of the green technology centre, the university will erect a green building that will use green technology and green software developed in collaboration with IBM.

Besu will get technical help for the project from the central government’s department of science and technology, state government’s renewable energy development agency and IT companies like IBM, PCS, Metalogic Systems and Consultant Service Engineering, said the vice-chancellor.

“We are looking for funds from various sources,” he added.

The centre will take a multi-disciplinary approach to green energy research, according to professor N.R. Bandopadhyay, the convener of the programme.The centre is slated to offer MTech courses in green energy, sensor science and technology and industry-oriented short-term training courses.

Comments by Readers

Comments by Mayukh Datta from United Arab Emirates on Friday, December 25, 2009 at 07:51 - IP Logged

Nice to note the positive results started coming out after a black period...

Comments by BUDDHESWAR ROY from Kuwait on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 13:40 - IP Logged

Thank you very much Dr.Ray for attemting such efforts, within a few months you have taken right steps to uplift our prestige.We are proud of you. we should highlight our every ( small/large) endaviour to the common people through national media where everybody can accept our existance in national level.

Comments by AK Choudhury from India on Thursday, December 03, 2009 at 15:09 - IP Logged

Besu plans Rs 100-cr medical college KOLKATA: Besu has drawn up a Rs 100-crore plan for a medical science and technology centre next to the Shibpur campus that’ll include a medical school and a 400-bed state ofthe-a rt research hospital. “We are waiting for the land (the 70-acre vacant plot next to the existing campus) to be handed over to us. If the state government takes up the proposal and acquires land, it will be a dream come true for us and the state,” said vice-chancellor Ajay Kumar Roy. One of the unique features of the multi-speciality hospital will be to arrange for a telemedicine course, a boon for villagers across the state who are far away from modern health-care facilities.

Comments by Ashish Banerjee from India on Monday, November 30, 2009 at 02:31 - IP Logged

Prof Ajay Ray seems to have a magic wand in his hand! Being an ex-student, I am a keen follower of the going-ons at my alma mater. Since the other day it appeared all gloom for this prestigious college but today Prof. Ray, during his short stint, has been able to turn the table. Cheers for the new VC and his team of students who are really striving hard to bring back the lost glory of this institution. I look forward to seeing more worthwhile activities from the students as well from the faculty which may have an indelible impression among the present genre of educatioists and administrators as well. Pl remember Netaji's words: "Let us create history and let somebody else write it". KEEP IT UP...YOU ARE POISED FOR A SURE VICTORY!!!

Comments by s.dutta from United States on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 20:22 - IP Logged

can all alumni together write a strong letter to Times of India for using the words "copying in exams". This is not a civilized manner to describe how students sit their test. How do they know that exams in BESu are cheating centres?

Comments by Susobhan Ghosh from United States on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 07:03 - IP Logged

Absolutely Great !! Thank you Dr. Ray for your wonderful initiatives regarding Green Tech and examination system. Both of them are very timely and invaluable for our institution and the country. I am very optimistic that with your leadership and vision, BESU will get back its past glories sooner than later. We all must support Ajoy Ray to fulfill his vision and our dream. We need Ajay to succeed because it helps our interest. Thank you Ajoy from bottom of my heart.

Comments by Well Wisher from Canada on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 18:07 - IP Logged

Nice to see positive media coverage. Besu has to get more coverage in Telegraph / Anandabazar group to reach more and more people / prospective students and their parents to boost up its image.