GUWAHATI, June 7 � A group of concerned architects and citizens has lodged a complaint with the Council of Architects (CoA) alleging various anomalies in the privately-run Guwahati College of Architecture (GCA), the only institution in the State having M Arch courses. However, the GCA authorities have dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The group of concerned architects and citizens has alleged that the GCA has been admitting students, who did not have mathematics as one of their main subjects in the Higher Secondary (HS) level, to its B Arch courses.
The GCA has only three permanent teachers and despite such a shortage of teachers, it has been admitting students to its M Arch courses, goes the allegation.
It is also alleged that the GCA does not have any workshop, material laboratory, climatology laboratory etc. It is grossly understaffed and the present GCA building does not conform to the IS Code relevant to the NE region.
Moreover, the GCA faculty members are underpaid and the services of the faculty and staff members are terminated going against the appointment regulations. The governing body of the GCA does not participate actively in running the college and the M Arch classes of the college are held only on Saturdays. Besides, the students admitted to the M Arch course are also full-time employees of public sector units, goes the allegation.
However, the GCA authorities maintained that the GCA has not admitted any student into its B Arch course, who does not have mathematics as a main subject in the HS level. However, there are some anomalies in regards to obtaining pass marks in the subject. The matter has been taken up with the CoA. But, in the meantime, a court case filed by some other parties outside the State is pending on the matter.
The GCA authorities told this newspaper that there are nine full-time faculty members in the college and between June and July this year, some new faculty members are also being inducted.
�We have the workshop, material laboratory and climatology laboratory. Different types of apparatus required are there for use. Since we have shifted to our new campus only recently, little time is required to arrange those in specific rooms,� said the GCA authorities.
They maintained further that the college has the required number of administrative staff and faculty members for running the college. �If we fall short of staff, we appoint immediately,� they claimed.
On the issue of the college building not conforming to the IS Code, they informed that the building has been constructed with all the necessary permission.
The GCA authorities also claimed that the salary paid to the staff is negotiated with the staff during interview, and given as per the agreement. The GCA is paying its staff well, compared to the other architecture colleges, they claimed.
