B.F.Sc course is offered only by TNFU and its two constituent colleges in Tuticorin and Ponneria
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Chennai: In an unusual case, two state-run universities are at loggerheads and are preparing themselves for a legal battle over their right to offer a professional course! Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (TNFU), established in 2012 by the state government and 86-year-old Annamalai University (AU), which was taken over by TN in 2013, are in an ugly battle to conduct the four- year Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc) course.
As of now, B.F.Sc course is offered only by TNFU and its two constituent colleges in Tuticorin and Ponneri. However, on October 22, AU has published an advertisement in a vernacular newspaper inviting applications for a similar course. This has triggered a huge controversy with faculty and students of TNFU and its affiliated colleges questioning AU’s decision.
As per the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University Act, no new college imparting education in Fisheries Science shall be established, except as a constituent or affiliated college of the University.
A senior faculty member of TNFU said AU was acting in violation of the Act and would undermine the purpose of establishing a dedicated university for fisheries. However, an AU official said Annamalai University Act gave it powers to start any professional course.
Reliable sources told DC that TNFU registrar K. Rathnakumar had already met the Higher Education secretary Apoorva in this regard and conveyed the apprehensions. It is also learnt that TNFU is taking legal opi-nion. Meanwhile, Student Association of Fisheries College and Research Institute in Tuticorin decided to file a writ plea in Madras HC on Monday contesting the AU’s decision. This was confirmed by final year student S. Mohammed Akram Javith, also association general secretary.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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