Dr. MGR Medical University - University to consider proposal for conditional double valuation for MBBS

From -http://www.thehindu.com

The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University will consider a proposal to introduce double valuation for MBBS candidates who have failed in their exams.

If the proposal is cleared, the paper in which the candidate has failed to clear will be independently evaluated by two examiners.

The varsity will take the highest mark into account. If the difference between the two evaluations is 30 per cent or over, then the paper would be referred to a third examiner.

This dual valuation pattern is being followed as a norm for Post Graduate examinations in medicine. “In all fairness, every paper should be valued twice, but there are far too many candidates in MBBS for us to make it the norm. So we thought we would consider introducing it only for those who have failed,” university Vice-Chancellor Mayil Vahanan Natarajan said.

Further, he clarified that the varsity's decision to introduce a minimum 50 per cent pass mark in each component (two written papers, one practical, one VIVA, and one internal assessment) of a subject would stay.

“The aim is to improve the standard of medical education, and the quality of medical graduates over a long period. Unless we provide this bitter pill, nothing will be done,” Dr. Natarajan explained.

However, he added that the university has written to the Medical Council of India to see if the ‘Break' system, whereby a student who has failed in a paper cannot continue with his own batch of students, could be suspended. The proposal suggests that students who have failed continue to move onto the next year and be able to repeat the exam within six months. This is the system being followed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, he informed.

The 22{+n}{+d} convocation of the university will be held on Thursday, and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is expected to deliver the convocation address. A total of 6941 candidates will be awarded degrees and diplomas under the categories: Medical, Dental, Indian Medicine, and Allied Health Sciences courses.

Honorary Doctorates will be conferred on four eminent specialists: Krishnamoorthy Srinivas, senior consultant neurologist; C.V.Bhirmanandham, consultant cardiologist and former Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, Prasanna Kumar Reddy, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals, and M.P.Naresh Kumar, Consultant Cardio Thoracic Surgeon, Harvey Healthcare.

In addition, lifetime achievement awards will be conferred on the following teachers and leaders in medicine, V.Shanta, chairperson, Cancer Institute; D. Raja, former VC of the varsity; Prema Krishnaswami, obstetrician and gynaecologist; K. Sridhar, Planning Commission member; C.S.Vijay Shankar, Cardio Thoracic Surgeon; R.Prabhakar, former director, Tuberculosis Research Centre; K.Ravindranath, chairman, Global Hospitals; R.Raveendran, managing director, Udhi Eye Hospital; S.P.Thyagarajan, Pro-Chancellor, Sri Ramachandra University; and Jayam Kannan, gynaecologist and fertility expert.