PU to start two new engineering courses

CHANDIGARH: University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) at Panjab University would run two new engineering courses in electrical and mechanical engineering from the forthcoming academic session 2004-05.
The newly formed University syndicate in its first meeting on Saturday has approved 30 seats each for four years course in BE (electrical) and BE (mechanical) with the same fee structure, entrance test and reservation criteria prevailing in the four other courses running in the institute.Though the recently opened UIET runs four courses in non-conventional fields- Microelectronics, software engineering, biotechnology and telecommunication and information technology, the faculty had recommended the addition of two new conventional courses in engineering to "create more balance in the institute."
In addition to these engineering courses, the syndicate has also given nod to a two years course in M Sc (computer science) honours schools which would have 30 seats with five seats for the NRI sponsored students. The course would begin from the coming session 2004-05.
The syndicate has appointed Prof S K Sharma of the department of chemical engineering and technology as the dean university instructions (DUI) for the term of one year. The present incumbent Prof RJ Hans gill is retiring on January 31 after attaining on the age of 62 years. The officiating finance and development officer (FDO) AR Bhandari has been appointed the regular FDO.
The maximum age limit for admission in five years integrated BALLB course, to be introduced in the department of laws in the coming session has been increased to 22 years against the recommended age of 20 years. The members have also accepted the fee structure of Rs 65,000 per annum with a few syndics raising objections saying that the fee should be lowered.
The recommendations of the committee to charge the Ph D students in PU who do not receive any funding from CSIR, UGC or university fellowship has been deferred.
The committee had recommended charging of Rs 5000 a year from humanities students and Rs 8000 per year from science Ph D students. The disaffiliation of the Punjab engineering college (PEC) from PU after it has been declared a deemed university was withdrawn for want of sufficient details.
Dr Akhtar Mahmood and Dharinder Tayal have been elected to the Board of Finance and the March 12, 2004 has been decided as the last date for the senators to change their faculties.
The memorandum of understanding signed between PU and Simon Fraser University of Canada has also been approved. Also, vice chancellor KN Pathak has been authorised to form joint consultative inspection committees. Appointments of seven faculty members in various university departments were approved. However the post of reader in department of fine arts would be re-advertised.
The appointment of inspection committees for 52 colleges was hotly debated and it was recommended that VC should make committee to streamline the formation of these committees.