Sovi Vidyadharan By

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With examination malpractices on the rise, the newly-set up Kerala Technological University (KTU), has decided to introduce ‘open book examination’ system for the engineering undergraduate course, which will allow candidates to refer study material during the examination.

“For now, the open book examination system will be introduced in one subject in the BTech course. If it is found to be effective, the University will consider implementing it for all subjects,” KTU Pro Vice Chancellor M Abdul Rahiman told ‘Express’. According to Rahiman, the engineering undergraduate course syllabus was revised recently and the subject ‘Engineering Design’ was introduced in the first year of the BTech course. The open book exam will be introduced on a pilot basis for the said subject, as it mainly deals with engineering aptitude.

He said questions in the open book exam will be a test of the candidates’ intelligence and analytical skills and not a test of their memory. The open book examination system has been implemented successfully in a few IITs in the country as well as many foreign universities.

In 2010, a committee on examination reforms, set up by the Kerala State Higher Education Council, had recommended a partial open-book examination system for universities in the state.

KTU is set to become the first university in the state to install CCTV cameras in exam halls in a bid to ensure transparency. The proposal was approved during a recent meeting of the engineering college management representatives with the university officials.