Chandigarh, April 23
Candidates have demanded the scrapping of the Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by the Punjab Technical University (PTU) for admission to the various engineering colleges affiliated to the university.

Alleging that the CET is just a waste of their effort and money, these candidates have demanded that admissions to engineering colleges in Punjab be also done on the basis of the AIEEE (All-India Pre Engineering Entrance Test).

A representation to this effect has also been handed to minister for technical education Swarna Ram.

Many technical universities in other states have scrapped the state-level tests keeping AIEEE as the basis of their admissions too. The Haryana government had done away with the state-level examinations for admissions to BE, BTech, BArch and MBA courses last year and carried out all admissions on the basis of the all-India entrance tests.

Students will be appearing for the AIEEE test on April 29 and then in the PTU CET on May 26.

Over 20,000 students appear in the test each year and this year the number is expected to be over 25,000.

Other than the doubling of effort for candidates, the parents are paying Rs 1,550 just for the brochure and the examination fee.

Parents further pointed out that the state-level CET is virtually useless as thousands of seats go vacant in the state’s engineering colleges each year.

“What is the point in conducting an entrance test when due to an excess of seats, almost every candidate with only the minimum eligibility secures a rank in CET?” asked the father of a student.

R.K. Bhasin, general secretary of the parents’ association, alleged that the state government was fleecing parents by forcing their wards to take this test.

When contacted, PTU vice-chancellor S.K. Salwan said the CET was conducted to judge students with a common yardstick.

“The AIEEE is based primarily on the CBSE syllabus, as a result students from the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) are at a disadvantage. The PTU CET is conducted so that students from all boards are able to get a chance to take admission in an engineering college here.

Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and many other states are also holding their own tests. This is mainly because there is a lot of difference in the CBSE and the state board syllabus.,” he said. 

Chandigarh, April 23
Testing times lie ahead for those desirous of a posting to schools in Chandigarh on deputation. The UT administration has framed stringent recruitment rules, which include a written test.

Under the rules, applicable to various categories of teachers, 20 per cent posts are to be filled by way of deputation from the states of Punjab and Haryana in the ratio of 60:40. The rules have been put up before the home secretary for approval.

A written test has been introduced for the aspirants. Earlier, postings on deputation were decided on the basis of interview alone. The proposed recruitment process has been bifurcated into different segments.

DPI (Schools) S.K. Setia said: “Our objective is to have quality teachers. Clearing the process would be a requisite condition for all teachers coming on deputation.”

“The teachers will have to spend at least two years in rural areas,” he said. Out of 100 marks, the written test would be of 40 marks and the interview10 marks. There would be separate evaluation for annual confidential report (ACR), academic qualifications, experience and classroom results. The ACR component would have 10 marks. An “Outstanding” ACR would be awarded 3 marks, “very good” 2 marks and a “good” 1 mark. No marks would be awarded for “average” or “satisfactory” ACRs.

The marking for results at previous posting would be of out of a total of 20 marks. “Above 80 per cent to 85 per cent” results, would be awarded 1 mark, “86--90 per cent”, 2 marks, “91--95 per cent”, 3 marks and “above 95 per cent”, 4 marks. No marks would be awarded for results below 80 per cent.

Teaching experience would be determined out of 15 marks. previous results, overall grading, or experience. Out of a total of 100 marks, the written test would be of 40 marks and the interview10 marks. 

Chandigarh, April 23
Canadian University Windsor has opened a liaison office at the shopping arcade of Hotel Shivalikview in Chandigarh.

With 400 Indian students at Windsor and out of them more than half from northern India, the office will be a welcomed addition to the study-abroad scene of 
Punjab.

"The Punjab is the only place I travelled in the world where Canada is the absolute first choice for a study-abroad destination," said Mel Broitman, director of Windsor's international outreach office.

Addressing mediapersons, Broitman called the Chandigarh office a gift to the families in Punjab seeking sincere information on studies in Canada. “We justify three Rs which stand for Responsible, Respected and Recognised”.

Windsor has more than a hundred world-class programmes with a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees. Windsor programmes in engineering, computer science, biotechnology, business and communications are the most popular among Punjabi students.

All Windsor degrees allow graduates to work in Canada after their completion. “We already have hundreds of Indian graduates who have top jobs in Canada, the US and back in India. All services provided by the Windsor’s liaison office will be free,” informed Broitman.

Chandigarh: A seminar on the importance of teacher education with psychological and sociological dimensions was organised at the Rayat and Bahra College of Education, near here, on Monday. The seminar inaugurated by Mohinder Kaur Josh, chief parliamentary secretary, education, Punjab, saw a galaxy of eminent educationists, psychologists and sociologists from the region who discussed the scope of teacher-centric education system and challenges within.

Director of the college Prof Indu Rihani said the purpose of organising the seminar was achieved as the experts had provided insights into the process of teaching as a sociological and psychological concept. — TNS

Earth day celebrated: Members of the Envirovision Club and residents of Kurukshetra Hostel of Punjab Engineering College planted around 50 saplings of murriah in the garden converted from unused and barren land of the hostel to mark Earth Day.

The function was attended by Prof K.K. Garg, dean, student welfare, Dr S.K. Suman, estate officer, Dr T.K. Jindal, officer in charge, Envirovision Club, Dr L.N. Sharma, warden, Kurukshetra Hostel, and many others.

The college authorities decided that all other hostels of the college would be following the example set by the Kurukshetra Hostel, all bulbs in the hostels would be replaced by florescent tubes and in collaboration with Sehaj Safai Kendra, a compost pit would be made in the college where all the dry and fallen leaves would be converted into manure. — TNS

Mohali:Toppers: Jaskirat Kaur and Chanpreet Singh of Chandigarh Engineering College, Landran, have secured the first position in B.Tech third semester (ECE) examination of the PTU held in January, 2007. Both these students scoring 89.1 per cent marks are closely followed by Kamaljeet Kaur who stood second with 88.7 per cent marks. Along with them, Moulishree Srivastava (83.29 per cent) of IT, Tahseen Alam (82.2 per cent) mechanical engineering and Bhaskar Chetry (82 per cent) of electrical engineering have also made it to the PTU merit lists.

Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, president, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, has announced a cash prize of Rs 5,000 for each of these students. — TNS

Chandigarh, April 23
National Sangeet Natak Akademy Rattan Gursharan Singh released two Punjabi albums at a function at the Punjab Kala Bhavan here yesterday.

He expressed hope that young artistes with roots in Punjab’s cultural traditions would carry forward its heritage and glory.

He lauded the concept and compositions of Punjabi music album “Lahoo Punjab da”, comprising nine songs, rendered by Narinder Nindi with two duets with co-singer Pooja.

Lyricism by late Maan Singh Haqir, Jarnail Rajgarhi, Labh Singh and Narinder Nindi brings alive the folklore and legends of the land.

Satirical crisp comedy “Mast Malanga” on growing drug addiction among youth, corruption and political pollution by acclaimed comedian duo of Malkit Singh Malanga and Kamaljit Singh Pantanga is a rib-tickling comedy but full of meaningful social content.

Young composers Anu and Manu have scored the music. It has been produced by PAI Audio company.