Syndicate member seeks relaxation of punching system for Calicut University faculty

Syndicate member seeks relaxation of punching system for Calicut University faculty 'The nature of academic work is fundamentally different from routine administrative duties, and it requires reasonable degree of flexibility in working hours'.

Key points

• He remarked that the attendance arrangement followed by the Cochin University of Science and Technology could be considered at CU as well.
• Mohammed Haneefa, the Syndicate member, remarked the nature of academic work was fundamentally different from routine administrative duties.
• A Syndicate member at the University of Calicut (CU) has pressed the authorities to relax the attendance-punching system for faculty members in the university's teaching departments.
• Haneefa asserted, was only one component of professional accountability and need not be applied to teachers in exactly the same manner as to non-teaching staff.

For context, a Syndicate member at the University of Calicut (CU) has pressed the authorities to relax the attendance-punching system for faculty members in the university's teaching departments.

In a letter to the Registrar, K. Mohammed Haneefa, the Syndicate member, remarked the nature of academic work was fundamentally different from routine administrative duties. It required a reasonable degree of flexibility in working hours. He observed that the responsibilities of teachers extended beyond classroom teaching, and that numerous of such activities were carried out before or after regular teaching hours, during weekends or outside the campus.

While conferences, field studies, and collaborative academic activities often require them to work away from their regular workplace, faculty members additionally have to spend extended periods in laboratories, libraries, and research centres. Attendance, Mr. Haneefa asserted, was only one component of professional accountability and need not be applied to teachers in exactly the same manner as to non-teaching staff.

He remarked that the attendance arrangement followed by the Cochin University of Science and Technology could be considered at CU as well. The faculty members there are permitted to complete seven hours of attendance at any time between 8 a.m. And 8 p.m., subject to their scheduled classes, examinations, meetings, and other institutional duties.

In short, syndicate member seeks relaxation of punching system for Calicut University faculty is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.