University of Mumbai seeks tech help to fix software errors

The University of Mumbai (MU) has called for a meeting of select IT coordinators of various colleges

A day after HT reported about the errors marring the assessment of answer sheets through the on-screen marking (OSM) system, the University of Mumbai (MU) has called for a meeting of select IT coordinators of various colleges to find solutions.

HT had previously reported about how almost six weeks after exams began on November 8, less than 25% answer booklets had been assessed. (File pic for representation)

Last week, teachers had highlighted how many of them are still struggling to download answer booklets for assessments. The university has decided to take help of technical experts at the Centralised Assessment Process (CAP) centres across the city. “We are planning to bring together coordinators from CAP centres to train them,” said Arjun Ghatule, acting director, department of examination and evaluation, MU.

HT had previously reported about how almost six weeks after exams began on November 8, less than 25% answer booklets had been assessed.

Most teachers are busy supervising exams and conducting routine lectures every day, leaving them with very little time to assess papers online. “All examinations, including that of first- and second-year students, were conducted along with third-year students, so teachers have been burdened with corrections of all batches simultaneously. To make matters worse, the online assessment system is still cropping up problems for teachers, which is very disheartening for all,” said the principal of a south Mumbai college.

Many college principals have complained about mistakes done by the university while registering teachers online for assessment work. In case of teachers affiliated with more than one subject or courses, their registration has only come through for one course. “The same teacher can teach BCom as well as MCom students, but as per the OSM system, one teacher has been registered only for one course. This too is affecting assessment work,” said a professor from a suburban college.

“Most problems are very technical, so we have roped in people from MeritTrac to help us sort it out. These professionals will train all IT coordinators of CAP centres, so they can solve individual problems at every CAP centre,” said Ghatule.