Bengaluru: Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has directed principals of all its affiliated engineering colleges to earmark dedicated time slots for students to meet them and discuss academic, administrative and other genuine grievances and prominently display them.The directive, issued through a circular dated Sept 3, comes after discussions at a principals’ meeting. The university said the measure is aimed at ensuring regular and accessible interaction between students and college principals and facilitating quicker resolution of their concerns.According to the circular, the designated interaction hours should be displayed prominently outside the principal’s chamber so that students know when they can approach the principal. However, VTU clarified that the dedicated slot should not prevent principals from meeting students at other times, particularly in urgent or serious matters.VTU has also asked institutions to maintain a student grievance/interaction logbook, recording the date, nature of the grievance or query and the action taken or resolution provided, wherever applicable. This, the university said, would help ensure proper follow-up and documentation.“Small issues among students are bound to exist in colleges. However, these issues should be resolved by principals at the college level itself. Principals must devote time to addressing students’ problems,” said S Vidyashankar, vice-chancellor, Visvesvaraya Technological University.“It is not enough for us to simply issue a circular and remain silent. A local inspection committee will visit the colleges and verify whether the points mentioned by us have been implemented. Hence, principals must strictly ensure that students’ problems are resolved,” he added.The directive applies to principals of all affiliated engineering colleges, including constituent, non-autonomous and autonomous institutions, as well as directors of schools of architecture, planning and design under VTU.
