Architecture students protest against de-recognition

LUCKNOW: The students of faculty of architecture, Gautam Buddha Technical University (GBTU), protested on Monday demanding immediate government intervention to revoke the 'no admission' ban imposed on them by the Council of Architecture (COA). The students protested at Laxman Park opposite the district magistrate's residence here after the administration denied them permission to protest at Jhulelal park.
"The no admission status given by COA has put our future at stake. This clearly means that once we finish the course, we will not be formally considered as architects as COA has imposed ban on our registration,'' lamented a BArch student of the university. Other students aired the same view.
Principal, faculty of architecture, Mukul Singh visited the spot and held talk with the students. He assured them that their demand will be addressed soon and urged them to maintain peace. The students, however, sought a written assurance from the principal.
"The issue is not new. The UP government and the GBTU will write to COA apprising it that they are not authorised to ban admissions. The letter will also include that the university is pursuing the shortcomings cited by COA but they must look into the interest of the students,'' said Mukul Singh.
COA in 2005-06 had announced faculty of architecture as a 'no admission' place after it pointed out inadequate teachers and lack of computer facility in the college. Before that, a team from COA, a Central government's regulatory body for architects, visited the campus in 2002-03 and pointed out teacher shortage and infrastructural shortcomings. There are even issues related to its autonomy which are pending in the high court.
The college says there is shortage of teachers because the number of students has gone up over the past five years. However, students are worried that COA diktat will not recognise them as architects. They have also asked the Central government to de-recognise the college.