KARACHI, Jan 1: The order pertaining to wearing gowns by Karachi University students for entry to the varsity campus from commencement day of the first semester of 2004, drew mixed response on Thursday.

The varsity reopened, after a semester break and completion of admission process for about 14,000 students, including 4000 newly-inducted ones, under regular morning programmes, peacefully.

Many of the departments arranged formal orientation sessions for the new comers, wherein, among other things, they were also directed to wear gowns positively while taking classes.

The varsity syndicate in September last had observed that students should wear gowns within the campus, which, besides being a source of pride, would help the teachers and other staff to distinguish between KU students and the outsiders.

The KU Registrar, Prof Dr Fahim Uddin, said that the idea behind the revival of the gowns, which remained effective till late 70s, was to ensure discipline on the part of KU students.

Wearing gowns had been a part of university culture in many seats of higher learning in the subcontinent, which distinguished the students from others.

However, the senior KU students mostly ignored gown requirement, who were seen without gowns at the campus entry points as well as in the classrooms. Majority of the newcomers reached the campus attired in black gowns, available at a particular tailoring house.

Earlier, the university had announced that the students without gowns would not be allowed entry at the varsity gate. However, the student adviser, Syed Rais Ahmed, said that no student was debarred from entering the campus for not wearing gown, but the varsity intended gradual implementation of the syndicate and academic council's resolutions.

The students, while questioning the logic behind the decision, stated that such measures were surely not going to contribute towards any improvement in discipline or quality of education at the varsity.

Gowns remained forgotten for about 20 years and the latest move would also fizzle out, as it was not practical to wear gowns all the time in the campus, particularly in summer, while on the other hand carrying those right from home to campus and then back to homes was a sort inconvenience, they noted.

Some of the students, however, viewed that it would ensure uniformity and discourage show-off by privileged ones, provided the university did not treat students like primary school children and urged them to volunteer for the purpose, adding that the authorities could have made compulsory the display of university cards by students, which was cost effective and less problematic, said final year students, Asif, Saima, Wasim and Naved.

In the meantime, the students groups placed their banners and flags at places near Arts Auditorium, Central Cafeteria, Main library and corridors of Arts and Science departments, in order to register their existence in the campus. They also distributed handbills among the students entering the campus in the morning, while rose petals were also showered on new entrants.

The KU also resumed point buses for students on Thursday. About 35 point buses, in addition to the shuttle bus services, were made available for transportation of students, a KU official said.

No untoward incident was reported on the first day, while senior teachers, security staff and Rangers were on vigilance. The KU registrar maintained that attendance of students remained about 90 per cent on the orientation day.