VTU probes complaints of firms demanding money from students for internships
Bengaluru: Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has launched an inquiry after students alleged that some companies empanelled with the varsity for internships are demanding money, including fees for issuing internship completion certificates.
The allegations have raised serious concerns, particularly as companies offering internships are required to pay stipends to students, as reported by Deccan Herald. Acting on the complaints, VTU has constituted a team to verify the claims. The panel has been directed to visit the companies named by students and submit a detailed report based on its findings.
Several students have complained that when they approached firms listed on VTU’s official portal, they were told that payment was mandatory to secure an internship. One student said a company representative clearly stated that money would have to be paid even before onboarding.
VTU has made a six-month internship compulsory for all undergraduate engineering students. While students are required to complete it in either the seventh or eighth semester, it carries nine academic credits.
A senior VTU official said the university tightened its internship norms after instances of students submitting fake completion certificates to colleges. To curb such practices, VTU mandated that internships be done only with companies registered with the university and launched an online portal for the purpose. More than 2,500 companies are currently listed on the platform as providers of paid internships.
Placement officers from private engineering colleges have confirmed that complaints from students about companies seeking money have been formally conveyed to the university.
According to a report published by DH, S. Vidyashankar , VTU Vice-Chancellor acknowledged receiving the complaints and said strict action would follow if the allegations were proven. He said companies found charging students would be blacklisted and barred from participating in any VTU programmes in the future.
The vice-chancellor said the university had also received complaints about students failing to attend internships regularly and that the VTU team will also check attendance records during visits to companies.
Vidyashankar said nearly 85,000 students become eligible for internships every year which made it difficult to ensure opportunities for all. He said VTU plans to hold discussions with industry representatives to increase the number of paid internships and would seek government intervention.
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Man allegedly arrives with deadly weapon to attack another, caught by public in Jokatte
Panambur: A man who allegedly came armed to attack another person was caught by members of the public and later handed over to police in Jokatte late on Friday night.
The accused has been identified as Naveen Poojari, originally from Vamanjoor and presently residing in Jokatte.
According to police sources, Naveen was married and has an eight-year-old son. The couple are now divorced.
Police said Naveen suspected that his former wife, who is employed at a showroom in Padil, was moving closely with Devi Prasad Acharya, a mechanic working there.
Based on this suspicion, Naveen allegedly went to the house of Devi Prasad Acharya on Friday night carrying a deadly weapon, created a scene and issued threats.
During the incident, Devi Prasad Acharya reportedly contacted the 112 emergency helpline, following which Naveen fled from the spot.
While escaping, Naveen is said to have fallen from his two-wheeler near the Jokatte Panchayat area. Local residents who rushed to help noticed a deadly weapon on the vehicle and immediately alerted police.
Officials from Panambur Police Station rushed to the spot, took Naveen into custody and brought him to the station.
A case has been registered based on the complaint filed by Devi Prasad Acharya, and further action is under way.
