Friday, Aug 27, 2010
Chennai: Leveraging technology, the University of Madras plans to usher in transparency in the conduct of semester examinations by introducing a series of measures to curb malpractices in the system.

In the wake of question paper leakage in one subject conducted by the Institute of Distance Education (IDE), the university, at a syndicate meeting on Wednesday, resolved to introduce specific measures to end malpractices and question paper leaks. “The process of reform will begin with the setting of question paper itself. At present, only one question paper is prepared. From now on, multiple question papers will be prepared and mixed to be delivered to the exam centres only 30 minutes before the exams begin,” said G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor.

As per the present system, the question papers are sent to the exam centres a week before the exam which, at times, leads to leaks.

Similarly, exam centres will be asked to send answer sheets to the university immediately after every exam, he said. At present, the exam centres keep the answer sheets for two days, again giving scope for manipulation.

Moreover, only those institutions with Internet connectivity, photocopiers and fax machines will be designated as examination centres in future. The question papers will be sent through the Internet with a password. The centres will download the questions using the password and take photocopies instantly to be distributed to students appearing for the exams. The same criteria will be applied to IDE exams also, he said.

Carrying mobile phones will be prohibited. Students will be frisked outside exam halls and mobiles have to be deposited with the authorities till they finish the exams.

The university syndicate decided to conduct IDE exams without any break to ensure timely release of results, said the Vice-Chancellor.