FAISALABAD: Seventeen students of the University of Sarghoda, Lyallpur Campus, have been stopped from taking final semester examination for their “against the policy” admissions to MSc, MA and BSc disciplines.

The university said the students had got admissions on the basis of 45 per cent overall marks, while under the criteria they were to have 45 per cent marks in each subject.

Students, however, say the university in its newspapers ads had offered admission in 2014 on the basis of 45 per cent overall marks.

As the university banned their entrance to the campus, students staged a demonstration on Samundri Road to get attention of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who was scheduled to be there to inaugurate a road.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah inaugurated the road in place of the chief minister. Protesters met Sanaullah who assured them that the issue would be taken up with the university management.

Talking to reporters, students said the university had advertised in the print media offering admission to the candidates who had secured overall 45 per cent marks. However, now the university said the condition was 45 marks in each subject.

They said the students of MSc, MA and BSc had completed their three semesters and the final semester exam was to be held in the end of January when the administration banned their entry without any written notice and asked them to vacate hostels.

Campus Rector Khalid Mehmood said an inquiry into the issue has been initiated and Director of Academics Dr Qurban Ali would conclude it in one week. He said the protesting students had managed their admissions and the administration would find the campus employees who failed to detect the issue at the time of admissions. He said nothing was wrong in the admission advertisement and students were trying to manipulate the issue to get favour.

Mr Mehmood said 17 students of mathematics, chemistry, physical education and English had been refused final examination.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2016