JNTU provides long rope for students with backlogs

With the pass percentage of JNTU and its affiliated colleges dropping by the year, JNTU, Hyderabad has offered former students with backlogs a final chance at acquiring a degree. In a notification dated February 23, the varsity announced a final chance for students of all courses to appear for exams in the month of April 2015. Candidates who completed their class work and also unsuccessfully availed two extra years to clear their backlog subjects are eligible to appear for the examination.

The move of JNTU has evoked mixed responses, with some also calling it a money spinning effort. The students however have welcomed the news. “It is a great move by the JNTU. There are many students, who couldn’t graduate even after two extra years. This will give them an opportunity to graduate,” opined Maheshwari, a software professional.

However, a few dabbed the move as a ploy to increase pass percentage and pointed out that the circular came after the disaffiliation of 143 engineering colleges and 803 courses. “I wanted to complete my course, but was unable to do so due to personal reasons. This is my chance to graduate”, says Nag Raj, a budding entrepreneur, who is yet to acquire his degree. .

The notification has attracted many students, with the number of applications increasing by the day. “Our ex-students are rushing to the administrative office to apply for the exams and with this initiative, the JNTU Hyderabad is not only trying to increase the overall pass percentage but also the individual college percentage,” informed Venkatesh, a spokesperson with Sreenidhi Institute of Engineering and Technology.

The pertinent question, however, is whether the move would help these students bag jobs. Software giants like – Microsoft, Infosys, Gen Pact, Dell, Deloitte, TCS, Wipro do not hire students with backlogs and this degree might only prove to be a mere certificate. However, a HR professional feel otherwise, “It depends on the company’s policy. Precisely, it depends on how an individual fits into the organisation,” shared Anjana, a head hunter.

“Infosys previously hired people with backlogs and gave them to clear the subjects. As the number of engineering graduates increased, the practice has been put on back burner. This move might, in case the candidate is good enough, call for a few changes,” shared a practicing HR professional from Infosys.

The JNTU officials called for the eligible students to fill the application. “There are many students who neither posses a degree nor a job. This policy has been drafted to ensure that such students get a chance to acquire a degree and also a job”, says Dr Ramana Rao, Registrar, JNTU Hyderabad.

By:Vaishnavi Girish