Anbumani Ramadoss urges TN govt to stop Periyar University’s move to offer engineering courses

SALEM: PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday urged the state govt to halt the move of Periyar University, Salem, to introduce engineering programmes like B Tech (immersive technology) and B Sc (immersive technology) in partnership with a private firm. Anbumani said Periyar University lacks the authority to offer engineering and technology courses.

In a statement, the PMK president said the university should not jeopardize students' future by pursuing these programmes.

Two years ago, the university had revealed plans to launch the B Tech (immersive technology) course in collaboration with Scopik Edutech for the 2023-24 academic year. A report by TOI highlighted that the university was not qualified to offer such courses and had not secured approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Anbumani had then expressed his concerns and urged the state govt to intervene.

In response to the PMK's inquiries, the Tamil Nadu govt had then clarified that Periyar University was designated solely for arts and science education and was not permitted to offer technical programmes. K Ponmudy, who was the higher education minister then, had stated in the assembly that he had instructed the university's vice-chancellor to discontinue the programmes. Consequently, the university decided to withdraw the programmes.

The university has once again proposed technical courses for this academic year. Anbumani raised concerns about the university's eagerness to introduce new courses in partnership with private institutions, especially when there was no change in the educational landscape. He pointed out that if this course went ahead, a private institution would handle all processes, including student admissions. He noted that while the private institution would collect fees from the students, it would share only a portion of the money with the university, keeping the majority for itself. This arrangement would allow the private entity to fully leverage the university's name and resources, he said. Anbumani wondered whether the Tamil Nadu govt would permit such a shift towards privatization of govt universities.

All engineering and technical courses should receive approval from the AICTE. “If Periyar University offers these courses without such approval, they will be deemed invalid, potentially harming students who have invested significant amounts of money in their education,” he said.

He emphasized the need to stop govt universities from commercializing education through partnerships with private institutions.