KARACHI, Nov 19: The University of Karachi has decided not to shift the examination centres of male candidates of degree classes outside its campus. Sources on the campus said that a decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Qasim Pirzada, on Friday.

Deans of faculties, controller of examinations and other senior officials of KU attended the meeting, which discussed the plea of a group of teachers for shifting degree class examination centres to colleges.

It was learnt that the meeting ruled out the possibilities of transferring centres for male candidates outside the campus for the time being, but observed that more and more college teachers be involved in invigilation assignments at centres planned at various departments of the varsity.

The meeting also took into consideration the schedules of semester and college exams already announced by the university and suggested some changes to them. According to a source, the schedule of BA and BSc examinations for college students would remain unchanged, while in the case of BCom examinations, it was decided that exams of external students be delayed due to space and facility crisis.

The meeting also emphasized the need for erecting separate examination sheds on the campus so that teaching and examination activities go side by side smoothly. Speaking at the meeting, Dr Pirzada Qasim asked the examination department to ensure a foolproof and smooth conduct of examination on the campus.

He stressed the need for further improvement in the invigilation and vigilance staff and assessment of scripts at the earliest so that results could be given in time, added a source privy to the meeting.

When contacted, KU controller examinations Anwar Zaidi said exams of female students would be conducted as per schedule in colleges while male students would take their exams on the campus. He said exams of the old course students of BCom would also be held as per schedule.

He added that in view of the decision of the high-powered committee, which met on Friday, the BCom (external) exams were delayed for at least two weeks. "We understand that BCom (external) exams will be conducted by the end of December now," he added.