In a major relief to Pharm D colleges faculty and students, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad has decided to allow installation of the Biometric Attendance System (BAS) devices at their respective Hospital premise from the ensuing academic year.
A number of Pharm D colleges had on earlier occasions given representations to JNTUH seeking to attach BAS in hospitals as faculty members and fifth and sixth year students of Pharm-D and Pharm-D (PB) courses were marked absent on the days they visit hospital leading to a shortage of attendance.
For faculty, less than 75 per cent attendance meant loss of affiliation, while students who had below 65 per cent attendance ended up coughing condonation fee or in the worst case, lost an academic year. "Students and faculty members belonging to Pharma-D and Pharm-D (PB) courses are able to give their respective biometric attendance only at the College premises and were unable to give biometric attendance at the Hospital premises leading to shortage of attendance as per University norms. Hence, the Principals are hereby informed to make necessary arrangements for enabling the capturing of the biometric attendance of both students and faculty members twice a day at the Hospital premises," read the circular released by JNTU.
While classes for first to fourth year Pharm-D and Pharm-D (PB) courses are held in their respective colleges, those in the fifth year have to attend hospital five days a week as well as for the entire sixth year. College managements claim that at least four to five Pharm D teachers have to also visit and teach at the hospital as per the JNTU guidelines. While doing so they miss attendance. "It made no sense for teacher and students to come to college just for the attendance and then head to the hospital. So we requested the vice chancellor (now retired) a few months ago again to have BAS in hospitals too," K Ramadas, president of Telangana Pharmacy Colleges Management Association. Of the 122 pharmacy colleges in the state 56 offer Pharm D courses.
All these ( 56) colleges are mandated to have a 300-bedded hospital but BAS system was operational only in three or four colleges."It is a major relief for teachers who are flagged by the JNTU for not having enough attendance and serves as a motivation for teachers to teach. And will lead to improved learning and discipline among students," said Ramdas.
Meanwhile, others like Sai Kumar Katam, national president Doctor of Pharmacy Association has taken the new initiative of JNTU with a pinch of salt. "Until now colleges had been fudging attendance of both faculty and students. Nothing is going to change unless the university takes up stringent and surprise inspection," he said.
