Soon, Makaut to make paper checking digital

Kolkata: In a bid to expedite and at the same time bring transparency in checking answer scripts of the examination, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (Makaut) is going to introduce digital mode soon. The digital method of checking answer scripts is prevalent in a number of technology universities in the country.

The decision of Makaut comes in the wake of engineering students increasing by leaps and bounds every year resulting in tremendous pressure of examining scripts. The students would often complain of delay in the publication of results. "We will introduce this system from the 2018-19 academic year through which scripts will be examined and preserved in the digital mode. We will start it as a pilot project in some subjects and will gradually progress," Saikat Mitra, vice-chancellor of Makaut said. As many as 6.5 lakh answer scripts of students need to be checked in every semester. The university will begin with this system in subjects like biotechnology and computer science. Mitra, however, added that training is essential for introducing this process. The university is also bringing in changes in the curriculum from the next academic year.

The Makaut's second academic campus at Kalyani will start from next year. The campus is being developed at a cost of Rs 85 crore. The convocation of Makaut was held on Tuesday where 31,000 students were handed over certificates. Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi and IIT Kharagpur director Partha Pratim Chakraborty were present in the convocation programme.