KU Associate Degree exams hang in balance again

The biannual examination system for Associate Degree (AD) programmes offered at government colleges under the University of Karachi (KU) has once again been thrown into uncertainty, with the Regional Directorate of Colleges recommending that the examinations not be held this year.

Regional Director Colleges Karachi Gulab Rai has recommended to the university that the biannual system be suspended for another year, arguing that further work is required on the AD programme courses.

KU has also decided against conducting the examinations for now and will place the matter before its Academic Council for a final decision.

The examinations were scheduled for July, but the university's examination department has yet to make arrangements. Examination forms have not been collected from students, nor have examination centres been established or dates announced, leaving colleges and students uncertain about the examination schedule.

Talking to The Express, KU Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Tufail Ahmed said he personally believed that examinations should be held twice a year under the semester system in accordance with Higher Education Commission rules.

"However, college-side teachers do not want this system," he said, adding that, according to information available to the university, universities in Punjab had also not introduced either the semester or biannual system for Associate Degree programmes.

He said the issue would be presented before the Academic Council at its meeting on September 1 and the university would implement whatever decision the council took.

According to sources, Rai has also recommended in a letter to the KU VC that the biannual examination system be suspended this year as well.

He maintained that further work was required on the courses offered under the AD programme and that suspending the examinations would be in the best interests of colleges and students. The examinations were scheduled for July but have yet to be held.