Alerted by firms, JU plans CCTVs for placement exam

Kolkata: Flagged off by some companies, Jadavpur University is introducing some measures in its placement process such as installing CCTV cameras during placement examination and is also making invigilation stricter by keeping teachers as guards during the examination. Sources said that at least two reputable companies have raised concerns about students resorting to cheating during placement examinations and asked the university to make changes in the examination process. This prompted the placement advisory committee to hold a meeting and streamline its placement process. A professor said, “We have decided to install CCTV cameras at the exam hall to monitor the students. Till now the campus placement exams were managed by final-year students , who acted as coordinators. But now, we will introduce teachers as coordinators as well.” A source said during the placement examinations, final-year student-volunteers used to keep an eye on their batchmates but from now on various departments will allot teachers as invigilators. A senior official said the university will implement the changes that will be recommended by the placement advisory committee. Many professors are worried about the placement scenario this year after companies who are mass-recruiters pointed out tendencies of cheating among students. Teachers feel that these students taking help of unfair means during exams is an after-effect of Covid. “During the pandemic, these students became dependent on online learning and examination. Now, these habits are rearing its ugly head,” said a professor. Another professor feels that the students nowadays do not have aspirations and the quality of students taking admission to Jadavpur University’s engineering courses has deteriorated over the course of time.