The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Madras varsity fee structure for foreign students

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 08, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Madras varsity fee structure for foreign students

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, NOV. 7. In an effort at compensating for revenue losses running to over Rs.31 crores after engineering colleges were transferred to Anna University, the University of Madras is exploring alternative forms of resource generation.

A `Tatkal' scheme for issue of certificates within 24 hours of filing of application on differential payments, a group insurance scheme for students at Rs.10 or less premium per student and a new fee structure for international students are under consideration, the Vice Chancellor, S.P. Thyagarajan, said today.

He told a meeting of the Senate on Saturday that after the transfer of the colleges in 2002, the university lost Rs.7.31 crores, Rs.9.12 crores and Rs.15.51 crores in three academic years. Fiftytwo colleges were transferred to Tiruvalluvar University, Vellore. After the opening of Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU), admission to distance education courses was coming down.

Though the Madras University was financially stable, it sought alternative resources for development and for provision of better student facilities.

Increasingly, there were requests from students from India and abroad seeking eligibility and migration certificates to join other universities. To meet the requirements, the university introduced the `Tatkal' scheme to arrange for issue of certificates within 24 hours of request on payment of a higher fee.

As proposed by Dr. Thyagarajan, the Senate approved a new fee structure to be levied by the International Centre of the University of Madras, for foreign students: The annual tuition fee for PG diploma courses would be $ 300 dollars and $ 200 dollars for certificate courses.

For short-term courses/casual research: (below three months) Humanities ($100) Sciences ($ 200); (below six months) $ 200 and $ 400 and up to one year: $ 300 and $ 600.

Fee concession

On a suggestion from a member, Dr. Thyagarajan said students from the South Asia (SAARC) nations would be given 40 per cent concession.

The university signed MoUs with 17 foreign universities and students from these universities wanting to do joint research would be given a fee concession.

The quantum would be decided by the Syndicate.

The VC said a group insurance scheme would provide accident coverage to students and employees up to Rs.5,000 a year, but the premium would be kept at less than Rs.10.

When a member sought reforms in the examination system, Dr. Thyagarajan said automation of the system including allotment of seats and halls was in progress.

Several committees were formed to look at different types of innovations and to reduce the pressure on invigilators and paper valuers.

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