KARACHI, Sept 25: The examination department of University of Karachi has, on the recommendations of a high-powered committee, awarded marks in two theory examinations to 126 candidates on the basis of their performance in the viva-voce exams , said sources on the campus.

The results of BDS final professional exams 2004, which were delayed earlier after the reported leakage of two theory papers, were finally announced by the university on Saturday. The male candidates were benefited from the decision of the high-powered committee, as they had secured more marks in viva exams than the girl students.

The leakage of question papers pertaining to the subjects of Operative Dentistry and Orthodontics was confirmed by a committee constituted by the KU vice-chancellor, a couple of days before the students started expressing concern over delay in the announcement of results.

The high-powered committee, comprising four deans, including the dean of the medicine faculty, registrar and controller of examinations, had recommended to the VC to cancel the two theory papers in question, as those had been leaked out to candidates in advance, but proposed not to hold the papers in question again.

It also recommended to award marks to students of the four colleges, including three private ones, on the basis of their performance in the viva voce exams. The committee also suggested further probe into the "examination fiasco" and disciplinary actions against the teachers responsible, added the source.

However, an independent source said the gravity of the situation required that the entire developments, problems and solutions, suggested later, should have been placed before the university syndicate before implementation of any of them by the examinations department.

In the meantime, the examination department has withheld the names of position holders of the BDS final profession exams. It also withheld the results of 33 students for want of enrolment formalities.

As many as 126 candidates took the examinations, and 90 were declared pass with a pass percentage of 71.43.

When contacted, the controller of examinations, KU, Anwer Ali Zaidi, said that the names of the position holders would be released within four to five days, after removal of objections of enrolment.

BL RESULTS: The University of Karachi on Saturday announced the results of BL Second Year Annual Examinations 2004, adds APP.

According to statistics, 1,341 candidates appeared in the exams, and 507 were declared successful.