On Founder’s Day, Presi alumni urge entrance tests for all depts

Kolkata: The Presidency Alumni Association on Tuesday advocated for entrance tests by all the departments to be able to admit bright students to undergraduate courses at the university. But opinions were divided among Presidency professors with seven departments wanting entrance tests and at least 10 looking to admit students, based on marks."When we were students, and across many autonomous institutes, admissions were guided by the institutes. We are happy to see the university, under the current VC's leadership, took proactive steps in this regard. We only request that it should be taken to its logical conclusion, encompassing all departments," said Presidency Alumni Association president Sutirtha Bhattacharya during his speech on Tuesday, when the university and the association jointly celebrated Presidency's 209th Founder's Day at Derozio Hall. Bhattacharya later stressed the "need to hold department-led entrance tests to screen bright students across departments" after the split opinions.
After the Presidency admission committee decided to part ways with the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination board and conduct UG admissions itself, seven departments—chemistry, life sciences, economics, astrophysics, political science, history and statistics—said they would go ahead with entrance exams, pointing out it was the best way to screen candidates. But at least 10 departments, such as English, physics, maths, geology, geography, performing arts and sociology, opted to admit students, based on their marks.Pointing out that the admission committee would take the final call after consulting the departments, VC Nirmalya Narayan Chakraborty said, "During the pandemic, students were admitted based on their marks. We do not have evidence that they were not bright."Emeritus professor of sociology and Presidency alumnus Prasanta Roy shared, "Rajat Kanta Roy once set an admission test paper, asking candidates to write an imaginary conversation between Hitler and Gandhi. It was not to test accuracy but the power of imagination and to see if students could put it in context. So tests are desirable to screen candidates' aptitude but as some departments have logistical problems and MCQ-based tests have limitations, I empathise with current teachers."A Bengali department professor said, "The department is not against entrance tests but feels MCQ tests will not test a student's literary comprehension and writing skill. So, we have decided to go ahead with a formula, comprising X and XII marks." The English department gave similar reasons and also cited the "logistical problem" of holding admission tests. An official said, "The Institute of Health Science admitted bright students, based on their marks. They will continue with mark-based admission. Entrance tests do provide candidates a second chance but it does not make a difference to the institute." While performing arts head Niladri Roy said it would be "injustice to the subject" if a student is judged on one test, sociology and geology will also admit students on marks as the subject is not taught at school. "We used boards marks during Covid and got some brilliant students," said sociology HoD Suhrita Saha.