Mangaluru: The Mangalore University yesterday reduced its fees for the self financing category after a calling an emergent syndicate meeting. The meeting was called following protests led by the ABVP for the second time against increase in fees for postgraduate courses under merit quota and self-financing category. They protested on Wednesday July 29th in front of the Mangalore University here. Earlier they had protested on July 27th in favour of a reduction in fees of the Merit Category.
Under the self financing category, Students of botany and zoology applying for admissions were asked to pay Rs 48,795, as against last year’s fees of Rs 39,280. The fee for physics was increased from Rs 41,280 to Rs 51,795, and the fee for mathematics was increased from Rs 43,280 to Rs 53,795. The computer science and physical education course fees were increased from Rs 45,280 to Rs 53,795.
Earlier on Monday July 27 ABVP had protested in front of Mangala auditorium at Konaje stating that all the students were not able to obtain seats under merit quota. “The talented students from poor background were finding it difficult to pay fees fixed last year. As there is an exorbitant increase in fees this year, there is no doubt that poor students will be deprived of higher studies. This way higher education will only be accessible to the rich,” the protesters said.
It was then that the Vice-chancellor had reduced the fees for meritorious students following the protests. However hundreds of ABVP students protested again in front of the administrative block of the university on Wednesday stating that deserving students from poor backgrounds will still be deprived of higher studies if fee under self-financing category was not reduced.
The vice-chancellor then called a meeting of the syndicate and assured that the fees would be reduced by 30% for self-financing category prompting the students to withdraw the protests.
ABVP members, along with students, celebrated the reversal of the University’s decision at the PVS junction. ABVP city secretary Jayesh, district convener Chethan Padil, city co secretary Dinesh, state working committee member Sudipth and others were present for the protest.
