KARACHI, Dec 23: The University of Karachi has decided to hold special exams for those, who could not appear in compulsory papers of BA (regular and external) Annual Examination 2003 on different dates.

According to KU sources, about 100 candidates had requested the controller of examination in writing to announce new dates for exams, as they had not been able to reach examination centres on given dates for paper of compulsory subjects due to some confusion.

Some of the students, who missed the papers, said they were under the impression that like previous years their exams would be held in the evening shift. They did not find any reason to report in the morning shift, they added, and admitted that they did not read the date sheet carefully.

The KU examination department circular stated that students of BA (regular and external), who missed their compulsory papers and requested to attempt for the same, could appear in their compulsory papers. Such candidates can appear on new dates.

The paper of Islamic Studies (Part-I) will be held on Dec 26, Pakistan Studies (Part-II) on Dec 27, English (Part-I) on Dec 29 and Urdu (Part-II) on Dec 30. The exams would be held in the evening shift from 2pm to 5pm and from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at four examination centres, including one for male students planned to be established at Zoology Department of Karachi University.

The examination centres for female candidates are set up at Khursheed Girls College, Khatoon-i-Pakistan College and Abdullah College for Women.

Commenting on the issue, a senior educationist said that the BA papers of compulsory subjects were held on Dec 13, 15, 16 and 17 and it was beyond comprehension that candidates failed to catch all papers on the notified dates.

The number of candidates, who missed the exams due to their own fault, was believed to be very little and as such the university should not have facilitated them, he added.

MA REGISTRATION: The University of Karachi has announced that fresh registration forms and fees of MA/Double MA and Improvement of Division (External) Examination 2003 will be accepted from Dec 26 to Jan 24 without any late fee.

After Jan 24, the forms with a late fee of Rs100, Rs200 and Rs300 could be submitted up to Feb 7, Feb 21 and March 6 respectively, added the announcement.