Vice chancellor Salil Kumar Roy (left) at the review meet in Jamshedpur on Friday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, June 17: In a first time move for any state university, Kolhan University today directed principals of its affiliated colleges to induct four students as members in every cradle’s building and purchasing committees.

This decision to enhance transparency and student participation in the running of cradles was taken at a high-level meeting at the Graduate School College for Women and chaired by varsity vice chancellor Salil Kumar Roy. Principals, pro-vice chancellor Laksmisree Banerjee, registrar A.K. Upadhyay, deputy registrar S.S. Akhtar, financial advisor Brajesh Tiwary and finance officer K.K. Dey have given their nod.

“Each college will select four toppers or meritorious students to be members of the two committees. Students are the biggest stakeholders of the university. It is mandatory they know everything that is happening,” said Roy.

The meeting also reviewed development work, purchase of books, revamp of labs and libraries in fiscal 2010-11. University officials took account of money spent in development in the past fiscal. Principals were asked to submit fresh proposals for extra work, if required, with cost estimates, within 10 days. This fund will be released within 72 hours of proposal submission.

Having faced flak for laxity before, the varsity has asked all principals to speed up renovation and infrastructure development work before the new academic year in August. “We are strict with procedures now. Admission and registration processes will be done together to avoid discrepancy later. Admission procedures must be over by August 16,” said deputy registrar Akhtar.

The varsity will also terminate vocational courses with less than 15 students, and offer pupils alternatives.