KARACHI, Aug 23: The graduate level annual examinations of the University of Karachi for students of colleges and external candidates would begin on Nov 21, said sources on the campus.

A decision to this effect was reached at a meeting of principals of the city colleges affiliated with the university and members of academic council from college side on Tuesday. The pro-vice-chancellor Dr Akhlaq Ahmad chaired the meeting.

A source privy to the meeting said that among other matters, schedule of degree level examinations was discussed and it was resolved that BA (pass) Regular and External annual examinations would commence on Nov 21. The BSc and BCom examinations for college students would be held in the second and third week of December.

The examination forms from regular candidates of BSc, BCom and BA examinations would be received from candidates through their respective colleges from Aug 29 to Sept 17.

Under the existing system the university conducts graduate level examinations for male candidates at centres established at different departments of the university, while in the case of woman candidates examinations are held at colleges in the city.

Some participants of the meeting observed that since college teachers were conducting the exams of the woman candidates in a foolproof and peaceful manner in the colleges, the examinations for male candidates should also be shifted back to colleges now.

However, some other teachers were of the view that holding of examinations of male candidates, free of all pressures and loopholes, would not be possible until the time strict security measures were taken and centres were neutralized of political and group pressures.

The pro-vice-chancellor, who has recently been authorized by the chancellor of the varsity, the Sindh governor, to look after and control all the affairs of the examination system, said that a separate meeting on the issue could be convened some time later, said an official attending the meeting.

Some of the principals opined that there was a need to do away with the system of accepting examination forms from candidates till the commencement of examinations, as it caused many managerial problems, and some time encouraged the candidates using unfair means.

On a suggestion for a system for centralized assessment of scripts of BSc and BA examinations, like that of BCom scripts, the controller of examination, Syed Anwar Zaidi, told the meeting that due to space and staff constraints the proposal could not be adopted for the time being.

In the meantime, the controller of examination has pointed out to the principals that the information given by candidates in the examination forms should be checked thoroughly by the college authorities as well before forwarding it to the varsity, added the source.