Controversies denting Andhra University image

Visakhapatnam: Several controversies raised in the recent times are defaming the State’s prestigious Andhra University (AU) established in 1926 in Visakhapatnam. Along with this, all the development works of the university were limited to papers only and were not implemented.

There was lot of criticism against the university administration over the interviews for the post of Assistant Professors recently. Now the students of MA English department had staged a dharna demanding the AU authorities revaluation of the answer sheets of MA English first year, second semester, as out of 61 students, only three students got first class marks and the remaining had secured minimum marks.

Students of both first and final year MA English had staged a dharna at the Vice-Chancellor’s office here, alleging that Prof L Manjula Davidson of English department had failed most of the students, particularly the four students, who assisted her colleague in doing arrangements for an international seminar held last year by the English department. The students alleged that Manjula Davidson was harassing all those students, who had supported other professors in the department.

A student, Anand Raj lamented that he was qualified for APSET but failed in a subject in MA English, which was evaluated by Manjula Davidson. In the same way, another three students, who had received Pratibha Puraskar award, had secured very less marks in the subject of Manjula Davidson. A few students pointed out that the exam results were released in groups but not at once.

Speaking to The Hans India, K Ram Mohan Rao, Principal of AU Arts College, said that earlier also there were allegations against L Manjula Davidson. But the authorities can take any disciplinary action, only when the facts are established, along with the recommendations of Vice-Chancellor and other EC members.

Meanwhile, the College Principal was reportedly warned the faculty of the English department not to take any hasty decisions against the students. The revaluation and other issues have been informed to the Vice-Chancellor and he even assured to do justice to all the students.