A day of horror for Inter students

Hyderabad: The promised buses for students appearing for Intermediate examinations never showed up on Thursday. Students were left to fend for themselves though Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) officials had grandly announced two weeks ago that special buses would ply to ferry them to and fro their examination centres.

BIE officials had announced that 185 APSRTC buses would ply on Thursday to ferry students to their exam centres. Students complained that they were forced to travel for over two hours in peak traffic to reach their exam centres. “The police did not allow us to enter the restricted areas near Necklace Road even after we showed them our hall tickets. We reached the exam hall 15 minutes late and were worried that we wouldn’t be able to answer all the questions,” said a student at Mahbubia College.

It was a forgettable experience for students of 32 exam venues located in the restricted area as they were kept waiting at police barricades at Punjagutta and Khairatabad. “Four students who came along with their parents were reportedly forced to wait for an hour at Khairatabad as police officials prevented them from passing through the area,” BIE sources said. The parents later lodged a complaint with BIE officials on the incident.

Many parents were seen waiting for their wards to finish their exam to take them back home lest they would be stranded again on the way home. “Some parents even arranged cabs to take students back home from the exam centres,” said N Ratnakar, regional inspection officer (RIO), Ranga Reddy. Some students who were stranded at Secretariat due to a traffic jam were taken to their examination centres by the RIO, Hyderabad.

BIE officials said that the ‘Million March’ did not affect the turnout of students in Ranga Reddy and Hyderabad. “Only 2.34 percent of the 77,000 students in RR district did not turn up for the exam. In Hyderabad, 3.3 per cent students were absent,” said G Balaramaiah, secretary, BIE.

The English Paper II was held as scheduled across the state on Thursday. The BIE officials in a press release said that two impersonation cases were reported in Ranga Reddy and Warangal on Thursday.

The officials also said that flying sqauds shut down photostat centres in Viziayanagaram district as news about a question paper leak was reported. Meanwhile, CBSE and ICSE schools arranged transport for students in view of the protest call.

EDCET 2011 Notification

(Accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ Grade) OSMANIA UNIVERSITY HYDERABAD- 500 007. Ed.CET-2011, NOTIFICATION EDUCATION COMMON ENTRANCE TEST Conducted under the aegis of APSCHE, Hyderabad.

                             (In terms of G.O.Ms.No. 72 Edn.(SE Trg-1) department, dated 5-7-2004 and related amendments)

Applications in the prescribed form are invited for Education Common Entrance Test (Ed.CET-2011) for selection of candidates for admission into B.Ed. regular course in Colleges of Education in Andhra Pradesh for the academic year 2011-2012.

     Eligibility for Ed.CET-2011: The candidates should fulfil the following eligibility criteria

(a)	The candidates should have passed B.A./B.Sc./B.Com./B.Sc.(Home Science)/B.C.A./B.B.M. examination from any University in Andhra Pradesh or a recognized University out side Andhra Pradesh.
(b)	The candidates who are appearing for final degree examinations of 2011 are also eligible to appear for entrance examination.
(c)	Candidates with at least 50% Marks either in the Bachelor’s Degree or in the Master’s Degree or any other qualification equivalent thereto, are eligible for admission to the programme. However the candidates belonging to all other reserved categories should have secured 40% marks in the qualifiying examination.
(d)	The qualifying mark in the Entrance Test for all candiadates is 37 out of total marks 150 (i.e 25%). For the candidates belonging to SC/ST communities there will be no qualifying marks for ranking.
(e)	The candidates should have completed 19 years of age on 01-07-2011.
SALE OF APPLICATION FORMS:
Prescribed printed application form along with OMR cum ICR application form and information booklet can be had across the counters from all the Head Post Offices and the University Post Offices in the State of A.P. The application forms can also be had from e-seva centers in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupathi, Warangal, Anantapur and Guntur cities and the Designated main Branches of Andhra Bank outlets in A.P. for Details of Branches visit Websites : WWW.edcet2011.com , WWW.osmanai.ac.in SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: Duly filled in application form, and OMR cum ICR application form should be submitted in person or by Registered post / Speed post to the Convener, Ed.CET-2011, Department of Education, IASE, Osmania University, Hyderabad - 500 007 on or before 5 p.m., 23.04.2011. SUBMISSION OF FILLED IN APPLICATIONS ONLINE: Applications also can be submitted online. However, a copy of the application downloaded along with two passport size photographs and D.D. for Rs.150/- drawn from any Nationalized Bank in favour of "The Secretary, APSCHE, payable at Hyderabad must to be sent to the Convener, Ed.CET-2011,Department of Education,IASE,Osmania University,Hyderabad - 500 007 on or before 5p.m., 23-04-2011 For further details visit www.edcet2011.com, www.osmania.ac.in. OR For AP online submission a candidate has to Pay Rs. 150/- by cash in any AP Online Centre (list of franchisees is available on www.aponline.gov.in) or pay through AP Online citizen portal https://secure.aponline.gov.in online and obtain a receipt and enter the website www.aponline.gov.in and submit the application. After submission a registered number for future reference is generated. Note: 1. The convener shall not be in anyway responsible for postal delay or loss in transit etc. 2. The applications received after 5:00 P.M. on last date shall not be considered, what so ever may be the reason. 3. Incomplete applications will be rejected. 4. Candidate should carefully go through the information Booklet supplied along with application before filling up the application and OMR cum ICR application form. 5. The candidate claiming to be a local candidate of a local University area is as defined in A.P. Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission) order 1974 and amendments there on. 6. Mere appearance at the entrance test (Ed.CET-2011) does not entitle a candidate for admission into B.Ed. course unless the stipulated eligibility conditions are satisfied. SCHEDULE: 1. Date of Commencement of  Sale of Applications : 07-03-2011 2. Last date for  submission of filled-in Applications : 23-04-2011 3. Test date Saturday (11:00 AM to 01:00 PM) : 04-06-2011

AP Government plans to grade engineering colleges

The state government which is in deep trouble over the fee reimbursement arrears that amount to nearly `3,500 crore, is once again talking about a “grading” system for engineering colleges apparently to rein in the college managements. To this effect, it has directed the high-power committee set up for the purpose to grade the colleges within two weeks.

The managements, meanwhile, see it as an “arm-twisting tactic” adopted by the government to create panic among the colleges which are demanding the fee reimbursement arrears.

The government had appointed a three-member high-power committee in August last year to grade the colleges based on their faculty and infrastructure after it received several complaints that majority of the engineering colleges in the state had failed to comply with the AICTE norms despite running for several years.

Sources said that the government wants to grade engineering colleges into four categories. Top colleges will be graded “category A” and average colleges “category B”. The remaining below-average colleges will be graded as “C” and the rest will fall under the D category which are “unfit” to run classes.

The government plans to release fee reimbursement arrears on priority basis to colleges depending on the grades. While A-grade colleges will get 100 per cent of the arrears, the B-grade ones will get 50 per cent and the C-grade colleges will get 25 per cent arrears immediately. The D-grade colleges will be issued notices to comply with the minimum norms to claim the funds.

As per official estimates, less than 70 colleges out of 700 engineering colleges in the state fall under “category A”. A major chunk of the colleges are sub-standard and can be “checked” while releasing the funds.

Sources said that the government wants to bring to the notice of the Supreme Court the existing “ground realities” in colleges with regard to the quality of engineering education being offered to students after claiming huge amounts from the government. This will be done as part of its affidavit to be filed before the SC within four weeks.

ECET 2011 Notification

Engineering Common Entrance Test (ECET 2011) for Diploma Holders will be conducted on 20th May 2011. ECET 2011 notification will be released in January 2011. The ECET 2011 exam date will be finalized by APSCHE. It is most likely that ECET 2011 will also be conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University – Kukatpally (JNTUH). Admission to second year Graduate Engineering and Pharmacy courses in all private Engineering and Pharmacy colleges for the academic year 2011-12 will be conducted through rankings in ECET 2011. It is called Lateral Entry / Admission system and 10 percent of seats in all the colleges will be reserved for Diploma candidates. Diploma Holders and candidates with B.Sc. (Mathematics) Degree are eligible for ECET.

ECET 2011 qualified candidates are eligible to get admission to the following courses based on their rankings through counseling:
1. Second year B.E./B.Tech. (Regular) Courses
2. First year B.E./ B.Tech. in University Engineering Colleges
3. Second year B.Pharmacy (Regular) Courses in all universities and unaided private colleges.

Essential Eligibility: Candidates with Diplomas in following Engineering branches are eligible to apply for ECET - 2011:

1. Computer Engineering
2. Electrical
3. Bio-Medical Engineering (including Special Diploma)
4. Mechanical (includes Automobile, Printing Technology, Packaging Technology and Foot Ware Technology branches also)
5. Civil Engineering
6. Electronics and Communication. (Candidates who studied special diploma in TV and Sound Technology can also apply)
7. Chemical (including Sugar Technology / Textile Technology / Ceramic Technology / Leather Technology)
8. Mining or Metallurgy
9. Electronics and Instrumentation (including Special Diploma)
10. Pharmacy
11. B.Sc., Graduates with Mathematics.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates can obtain application forms from any of the following Andhra Bank Branches:

1. Hyderabad: Saifabad, Khairathabad, Sanathnagar, Kachiguda, JNTU ( Kukatpally), S.P. Road (Secunderabad).
2. Telangana Region: Hanumakonda, Waranagal, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Manchirial, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kothagudem, Mahaboobnagar, Sangareddy, Nalgonda,
3. Northern Andhra: Branches at Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam, Maharanipat (Vizag), Gajuwaka (Vizag)
4. Coastal Andhra: Branches at Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Eluru Road (Vijayawada), Bhimavaram, Tanuku, Eluru, Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Guntur, Koritepadu (Guntur), Tenali, Ongole.
5. Rayalaseema Region: Branches at Nellore, Tirupathi, S.V. Arts College (Tirupathi), Chittoor, Kadapa, Nandyal, Kurnool, and Anantapur.

Important Dates for ECET 2011:

1. Commencement of sale of applications: February 2011.
2. Last date for receipt of applications (without any late fee): Last week of March 2011.
3. Last date for receipt of filled in applications (With a late fee of Rs.500/-): Third week of April 2011.
4. Last Date for submission of applications (With a late fee of Rs.1000/-): Last week of April 2011.
5. Last Date for applications (With a late fee of Rs.5000/-): Second week of May 2011. (This facility is available at convener’s officer only).
6. ECET 2010 exam date: 20-05-2011.

Contact for more details: The Convener, ECET - FDH and B.Sc (Maths) 2011, ECET Office.

ICET 2011 Notification

ICET 2011 will be conducted on 15th May 2011 (Postponed to 18th May 2011 as NIMCET 2011 date is also on 15th). Andhra University released ICET 2011 notification on behalf of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). AU is the organising university for ICET 2011. The official notification of ICET 2011 has come out on 14th February 2011. Integrated Common Entrance Test- ICET is a single gateway for admission to MBA and MCA courses in all Universities, Government and affiliated private colleges in Andhra Pradesh.

Eligibility:

1. For MBA: Candidates should have a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline in 10+2+3 mode.
2. For MCA: Applicants should have any Bachelors Degree with Mathematical at 10+2 level.

All candidates must have 50 percent marks in qualifying examination. Those appearing for the final year exams of graduation also can apply.

Open Universities in the state also require qualifying marks in ICET for admission to Distance Courses in MBA and MCA. There are more than 400 MBA and MCA colleges in Andhra Pradesh. You can avail ICET 2009, ICET 2010 question papers with answers / key and Last Ranks of Colleges / Seats from 2009 Counseling Cut Offs from the below given links. Following is the probable schedule of ICET 2011:

1. Issue of ICET 2011 Notification: 14th February 2011
2. Application forms for ICET 2011 will be available in designated Andhra Bank branches and E-Seva Centers across the state. Applications can also be obtained from all main post offices in the district head quarters and post offices located at university campuses.
3. Sale of ICET 2011 application forms shall begin from: 22nd February 2011.
4. Last date for submission of ICET 2011 application: 24th March 2011. (without late fee).
5. With a late fee of Rs.500 (DD): 8th April 2011;
6. With a late fee of Rs.2000 (DD): 13th April 2011.
7. ICET 2011 Date: 18-05-2011.

Late fee should be paid in the form of DD drawn in favour of 'The Secretary, APSCHE' payable at Hyderabad.

Application cost is Rs. 250. Candidates can also submit applications online through official website of ICET 2011 www.icet2011.net. Download of applications from ICET 2011 website also will be facilitated after the release of notification. Contact: Convener, ICET 2011, Andhra University. Website: www.andhrauniversity.info

Fees Reimbursement: Engg colleges, government talks fail, colleges threaten to shut down from Feb. 16

Managements of over 600 engineering colleges in the state have threatened to close down their institutions from February 16 after talks with the state government over release of funds under the fee reimbursement scheme for socially backward students failed on Friday.



During the talks with the college managements, the state offered to release Rs 600 crore while the managements demanded the immediate release of at least 50 per cent of the total dues. In all, the state government owes Rs 1,774 crore to the over 600 engineering colleges as dues under the fee reimbursement scheme.


Apart from engineering colleges, the functioning of most of the 350-odd MBA/MCA colleges in the state too are likely to be affected as they are owned by the same managements. Last year too, the colleges had shut down and resumed functioning three days later after the state called them for talks and released the funds.


Social welfare minister Pithani Satyanarayana told the media after the meeting that the government had assured the engineering college managements that it would release Rs 600 crore now and another 50 per cent of the remaining dues by March-end. But the college managements did not agree to this, he added.


Meanwhile, college management representatives said around 200 engineering, MBA and MCA colleges in the state would be forced to shut down if the reimbursement fee scheme funds are not released. "We do not receive the funds regularly. How can the government expect us to run the institutions. We will have to close them down," said K V K Rao, spokesperson for the Engineering College Managements' Association.

The managements said that the government is planning to streamline the scheme by 2012. "The government representatives have assured us that by 2012 they will be able to release funds on a quarterly basis. But till then, we cannot run the classes," said Rao. He added that the government appeared to be uncertain whether the scheme would be continued in the near future.


However, a section of engineering colleges said they would not join the strike as they were satisfied with the government's assurance to release Rs 600 crore. They, however, said that if the funds were not released by June, they would go on strike.

Tri-Valley gave its students a 20% cut to lure buddies

Students in Tri-Valley University apparently got a 20% cut from the sham varsity for every admission they facilitated: The commission was lucrative as it was calculated on the tuition fee (approx Rs 8 lakh) of the fresher. Moreover, many from Andhra Pradesh had taken a circuitous route to Tri-Valley — first joining another varsity and then landing up at the fake varsity, lured probably by its offer of instant employment.

These findings figure in the detailed report submitted by the NRI cell (at the Secretariat) to chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. As per the report, a majority of the Indian students had moved to Tri-Valley from other universities. It also states that only a little more than 100 students who had obtained visas from US Consulates in India were Tri-Valley bound, indicating that most with F-1 visas were going to other universities.

The students needed a crooked route to Tri-Valley as it was not approved by the US to provide I-20 forms, which every applicant for student visa (F-1), needs to submit. Using illegal I-20 forms issued by Tri-Valley raised the risk of being caught during a thorough check. Consequently, students preferred to take admissions in other universities with valid I-20 forms and then used it to enter Tri-Valley.

The university, however, claims on its website that it was “authorised’’ by the US government to issue I-20 forms. But only 140 of its 5,500 students had this form from Tri-Valley. Parents have also accused Tri-Valley of running a scam even in issuing these “fake” I-20 forms.

“While most universities issue I-20 forms without much hassle, Tri-Valley University management or agents charged Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000,” said a parent from the city.

Some students from Hyderabad even received an I-20 directly from the university and it is reliably learnt that both Hyderabad US Consulate and the one at Chennai failed to detect the fraud and processed these F-1 visa forms.

In some cases it appeared that students had not really intended to move to the sham Tri-Valley unversity. For instance, a local student who went for her MBA to Schiller International University, Florida, eventually moved to Tri-Valley along with a bunch of 20 other students after her course was over. The reason? While most joined it lured by the prospect of being legally allowed to work (Tri-Valley gives Curricular Practical Training enabling students to work from Day 1 for 20 to 40 hours a week), others simply joined the bandwagon.

Now with several students being radio-tagged and interrogated for long hours, the CM on Wednesday said that the state had written to the ministry of external affairs and the Indian consulate in California to protect students and provide them with legal aid.