Latest news with #KannurUniversity
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- The Hindu
Kannur varsity professor held on charge of raping student
The police have arrested K.K. Kunhahammad, 59, head of the English department at Kannur University, on charge of sexually assaulting a PhD student. The Dharmadam police arrested the professor on a complaint by a student who alleged that she was raped by the Professor on the university campus and at a private hotel room in Thalassery on three occasions between March and April in 2024. He was produced before the court on Thursday and remanded in custody.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Eight new species found in herpetofauna survey at PTR
The herpetofauna survey conducted in Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has added five new species to the list of amphibians and three new species to that of reptiles, revealing the rich biodiversity of the region. The survey held from June 7 to 10 identified 67 species of amphibians and 82 species of reptiles. According to researcher Sandeep Das, the survey newly identified species such as Darrel's Chorus Frog (Microhyla darrelli), Kerala Skittering Frog (Euphlyctis kerala), Jaladhara Skittering Frog (Euphlyctis jaladhara), Nilphamarai Narrow-mouthed Frog (Microhyla nilphamariensis), Narayan's caecilian (Uraeotyphlus narayani), Rashid's Day Gecko (Cnemaspis rashidi), Meghamala Dravidogecko (Dravidogecko meghamalaiensis) and Beddome's Dravidogecko (Dravidogecko beddomei). Follow-up survey 'These species were not recorded in previous surveys. The amphibian diversity of PTR is also unique, which is evident as 53 out of 67 species recorded in the survey, or 80%, are found only in the Western Ghats. We will conduct a follow-up survey after the monsoon to explore the seasonal diversity of herpetofauna in PTR. Additionally, we removed six species from the checklist that lacked proper records,' said Dr. Das. According to officials, the survey was conducted from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. with the assistance of Forest department officials. Among reptiles, there are 12 species on the endangered list, including the Cane Turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica), the Travancore Tortoise (Indotestudo travancorica), and the Short-tailed Kukri (Oligodon brevicauda). The Yellow-eyed Reed Frog was spotted four times during the survey. The survey spotted the Galaxy Frog, the flagship species of Mathikettan Shola National Park, in two different locations. 21 camps Officials conducted the field survey in 21 camps that represented various vegetation and elevation types. Seventy-three volunteers from various educational and research institutions, including Calicut University, Kannur University, and the Kerala Forest Research Institute, as well as voluntary organisations, including the Malabar Natural History Society, ATREE Bengaluru, Sarpa, and Snakepedia, participated in the survey. Researchers Sandeep Das and Rajkumar led the survey that was inaugurated by PTR Assistant Field Director Lakshmi R. Sandeep S., Deputy Director, PTR West Division; K.E. Sibi, Range Forest Officer, Thekkady; Arun K. Nair, Range Forest Officer, Vallakadavu Range; Libin John, Range Forest Officer, Research Range; Priya T. Joseph, Range Forest Officer, Flying Squad Range; conservation biologists M. Ramesh Babu and Alby J. Mattathil, Sethu Parvathy, Nature Education Officer, PTCF; among others, joined the survey.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SUCC petitions Governor against M. Swaraj's wife
The Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) has petitioned Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar seeking an inquiry into the alleged anomalies surrounding the conferment of PhD degree by Kannur University on Saritha Menon, wife of Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader M. Swaraj. In the complaint, SUCC chairman R.S. Sasikumar and convener M. Shajarkhan flagged purported irregularities in the university's decision to relax norms by granting her a mercy chance to enable her to submit her thesis, around 16 years after registering at S.N. College, Kannur. The mercy chance, SUCC alleged, was selectively given to benefit a politically connected individual. They urged the Governor to review the legality of the mercy chance and its implementation in doctoral research, and audit all PhD degrees awarded by Kannur University in the past 10 years to detect 'similar patterns of irregularity.'
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
UDF Senators seek withdrawal of Kannur University's notification on private registration courses
The UDF Senators' Forum of Kannur University has written to the Chancellor, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, demanding the immediate annulment of the university's recent notification, dated May 22, inviting applications for private registration courses. The forum has alleged that the move violates University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and State law. In a letter sent on Saturday (May 24), Forum convener Shino P. Jose described the university's continued offering of private registration courses as a serious offence against the student body. He warned that degrees issued under this unrecognised mode are likely to be invalid, jeopardising the future of enrolled students. According to Mr. Jose, Kannur University had previously discontinued its distance education programmes after failing to meet the NAAC grade criteria mandated by the UGC. Despite this, the university has reportedly been running private registration programmes for the past five years — a mode of instruction not recognised by the UGC. The UGC's 2020 regulations specify only three approved course delivery methods: regular, open and distance learning, and online. 'Any educational mode not listed under these is not recognised,' the Forum stressed, citing the UGC's submission to the Kerala High Court that private registration is not an approved method.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Row over Kannur University's courses in private registration mode
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kannur University's recent notification offering undergraduate, post graduate and certificate courses in 'private registration' mode has courted controversy with a section of the varsity's senate members pointing out that the UGC does not recognise such a method of course delivery. According to them, the UGC regulations explicitly state that only three modes — regular, open and distance learning (ODL) and online — are the only approved methods for conducting various courses by universities. The legitimacy of the certificates conferred on students in private registration mode is largely questionable due to a breach of UGC regulations, they pointed out. In a notification issued on May 22, the university invited applications for 'private registration' for around 12 UG programmes, six PG programmes and two certificate courses. Students who register for such courses attend classes in private tuition centres and appear for the university exam. Notably, the degree certificates issued to them are the same as those awarded to regular students. Kannur University, which had been offering the option of private registrations, later switched to open and distance learning mode, However, the varsity ceased offering courses through distance learning by 2018 after it failed to meet the NAAC grade required by the UGC. Following this, the private registration option was restarted by the varsity in 2020. The forum of UDF-affiliated Senate members have approached Governor Rajendra Arlekar, the university's Chancellor, seeking his intervention to stop the university from offering such programmes that could jeopardise the future of students. 'The members of the Kannur University Syndicate, along with the Vice-Chancellors from different periods, share equal responsibility for misleading the student community by providing a course mode that contravenes UGC regulations,' said Shino P Jose, convenor, UDF Senators' Forum.
