News: Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, Jul 29: Bowing to pressure, Mangalore University vice-chancellor called a syndicate meeting and reduced the fees under self-financing category, following protests by students led by ABVP for the second time against increase in fees for postgraduate courses under merit quota and self-financing category. The protest was held in front of Mangalore University here on Wednesday, July 29.
Students of botany and zoology applying for admissions under self-financing category had to pay Rs 48,795, which meant that the fees has been increased by Rs 9,515 from last year's fees of Rs 39,280. The fee for physics under self-financing category was increased from Rs 41,280 to Rs 51,795. The fee for mathematics under self-financing category was increased from Rs 43,280 to Rs 53,795, and computer science and physical education course fees under self-financing category was increased from Rs 45,280 to Rs 53,795.
On Monday July 27 ABVP had protested in front of Mangala auditorium at Konaje stating that all the students were not able to obtain seats under merit quota. "The talented students from poor background were finding it difficult to pay fees fixed last year. As there is an exorbitant increase in fees this year, there is no doubt that poor students will be deprived of higher studies. This way higher education will only be accessible to the rich," the protestors said.
The vice-chancellor had reduced the fees for meritorious students following the protests. However hundreds of ABVP students protested again in front of the administrative block of the university on Wednesday stating that deserving students from poor backgrounds will still be deprived of higher studies if fee under self-financing category was not reduced.
The vice-chancellor then called a meeting of the syndicate and assured that the fees would be reduced by 30% for self-financing category prompting the students to withdraw the protests.
After the university's decision, ABVP members, along with students, celebrated at PVS junction.
ABVP city secretary Jayesh, district convener Chethan Padil, city co secretary Dinesh, state working committee member Sudipth and others were present for the protest.