With just days left for the current semester to come to an end and with no job in hand, students at Hyderabad Central University are worried about their future. After protests broke out in January following Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula’s suicide, students say the campus placements have come to a halt. Many students also feel that the protests have indirectly damaged the reputation of the University.
“In the last semester more than 10 companies had come to my department. Now this semester only 1 came to campus and for one students went outside for interviews. The issue for students right now is to get a job. 60% students still not placed in my department,” a student from School Computer and Information Sciences said.
Students’ fears may not be unfounded. According to Hyderabad University details, between August-December 2015, as many as 42 companies visited the campus. But so far in 2016, only 15 companies have visited the campus. During the administrative shut down in January, many students were sent directly to companies and many even had had to reschedule their campus visits.
“The placements halted for some time in January. Cannot deny that there has a damage to the reputation of the University. This time no big change is seen, but in coming academic year, there might be notable downfall,” a student placement co-ordinator said.
Many students who did not wish to come on camera said they are being asked about the crisis on campus in their interviews. In an attempt to rectify the grim situation, a job fair will be organised on campus on April 9.
The University of Hyderabad which was recognized for its research and academics is today known for the protests across the world. The decline in number of companies show that protests have a negative impact and career of students is at stake. The students are now appealing protesters and administration to come together in rebuilding the brand that University.