Government have issued orders for conducting of Common Entrance Tests (the examinations conducted by the government agency for assigning ranks on merit to the candidates which will be the basis for admission) into various technical and professional courses in the State.
Government have issued orders to enable the government departments to utilise the services of Andhra Pradesh Online Limited (A joint venture with APTS & Tata Consultancy Services- TCS) to improve the efficiency of productivity and operations.
Government have permitted the A.P.Public Service Commission to introduce the system of computer based examinations in the State of Andhra Pradesh and also accorded administrative sanction for entering Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with A.P.Online basing on the rates fixed.
the Chairman, A.P.State Council of Higher Education has stated that Government of Andhra Pradesh is keen on the utilisation of Information Technology for automation of various activities related to government departments to ensure accuracy and transparency. Accordingly, a meeting was convened on 16-09-2016 with the senior officials of the government and other academic and technical personnel under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister for HRD. The members of the meeting have unanimously resolved to switch over from the conventional paper based examination to the system of Computer Based Test (CBT) for all Common Entrance Tests (CETs) to be conducted from the Academic Year 2017-18 onwards to avoid printing of question papers and transportation of sensitive confidential material, prevent leakage of question papers, reducing manpower and time for the conduct of examination, controlling of cheating and impersonation, and drastic reduction in time for processing of results etc. besides the twin objectives of accuracy and transparency.
The Computer Based Test (CBT) involves pre-examination work viz. registration of candidates and application processing, identification of test centres as approved by the Technical Team of the Convener, Test Centres management and generation of hall tickets followed by development of error- free question paper sets / bank and its management, and also creation of awareness to the Candidate about CBT by means of conduct of mock tests and preparatory test. The examination management includes digitisation and secured transfer of the question paper to the test centres, conduct of test, processing of scores and generation of ranks as per the G.Os of the respective CETs.
The Secretary, A.P.State Council of Higher Education in the reference 10th read above, has constituted a high level Committee comprising Vice-Chancellors, convenors, academic and technical personnel where Andhra Pradesh Online Limited (A joint venture with APTS & Tata Consultancy Services- TCS) made a power point presentation of conduct of Computer Based Test (CBT) and members have discussed the adaptability of the technology for conduct of CETs. The Vice-Chancellors and convenors have suggested to entrust the job to AP Online as it is in accordance with the G.O.Ms.No.23, Information Technology & Communications Department, dated 02-11-2007 and also in G.O.Ms.No.92, General Administration(Ser.A) Department, dated 13-04-2016 as the agency is a reputed one as they have also conducted various Online Tests in respect of JEE, RRB, CAT and Online Test for School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh etc.
Government have constituted a Committee for examining Computer Based Test for conduct of APCETs from 2017 onwards on the following issues:-
(i) Assessment of the requirements for conducting online CETs;
(ii) Mapping the vulnerable areas which need more attention;
(iii) Role of implementing agency vis-à-vis the agency selected for the conducting online CETs;
(iv) Change management (creation of awareness among the Students / Faculty about Online CETs);
(v) Process / Roles in identification of test centers;
(vi) To suggest on the architecture system for the online CETs;
(vii) Suggesting various Parameters and involved identification agencies for the online CETs;
(viii) Role of Convenor in the new system of Online CETs.
8. Accordingly, the committee has submitted a report in the reference 12th read above. Subsequently, on 20-12-2016 a meeting was convened with the officials of Higher Education, A.P.State Council of Higher Education, convenors of AP-PGECET, APICETs, and technical experts from Krishna and Sri Venkateswara Universities for finalizing the agency for conduct of tests on end-to-end basis and also to explore the possibilities of adoption of G.Os 7th & 8th read above. In the meeting the following are resolved:-
a) Orders have to be issued by the Government finalizing agency for conduct of tests on end-to-end basis. Considering the previous experience and in view of the shortage of time, the committee has resolved to entrust the job to AP Online Limited (a Joint Venture with APTS and TCS), being a government organization and keeping in view of the orders issued in G.O.Ms.No.23, Information Technology & Communications Department, dated 02-11-2007 and also in G.O.Ms.No.92, General Administration(Ser.A) Department, dated 13-04-2016;
b) The A.P.State Council of Higher Educatiion would be asked to enter into Memorandum of Understanding with AP Online Limited in this regard.
c) To appoint the following committee to negotiate and finalize the rates with AP Online Limited for conduct of CETs for 2017-18 academic year only. The committee will also advise on competitive bidding route if required after negotiations and keeping in view competitive rates prevailing in the market.
1) Prof. P.S. Avadhani, Convener, AP PG ECET, Andhra University, Vizag
2) Prof. Y.K. Sundara Krishna, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Krishna University, Machilipatnam.
3) Prof. B. Sudhir, Dean, AP ICET, S V Univ. Tirupati
4) Dr. K. Raghunath, Spl. Officer, AP CETs, APSCHE – Convener
5) A nominee of the Secretary, IT&C Dept., A.P. Secretariat, Velagapudi.
d) The committee has opined that they will be able to conduct Online CETs in coming academic year provided orders are given finalizing the agency by December end 2016.
9. After careful examination of the matter, the Government hereby permit the A.P.State Council of Higher Education to introduce the Computer Based Test for conducting of APCETs from 2017 onwards and also accord administrative sanction for entering Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AP Online. The expenditure towards the conduct of Computer based CETs shall be met from the funds of the APSCHE.
10. The Government have also decided to appoint the following committee to negotiate and finalize the rates with AP Online Limited for conduct of CETs for 2017-18 academic year only. The committee shall also advise on competitive bidding route if required after negotiations and keeping in view competitive rates prevailing in the market. The committee shall draft an Memorandum of Understanding incorporating technical (hardware & software) requirements, security and commercial components with the agency identified before issuing the work order.
(i) Prof. A. Valli Kumari Vice Chairman, A.P.State Council of Higher Education, Chairperson of the Committee;
(ii) Prof. P.S. Avadhani, Convener, AP PG ECET, Andhra University, Vizag;
(iii) Prof. Y.K. Sundara Krishna, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Krishna University, Machilipatnam;
(iv) Prof. B. Sudhir, Dean, AP ICET, S.V.University, Tirupati;
(v) Dr. K. Raghunath, Special Officer, AP CETs, A.P.State Council of Higher Education – Convener;
(vi) A nominee of the Secretary, Information Technology & Communications Department, A.P. Secretariat, Velagapudi.
11. The Chairman, A.P.State Council of Higher Educatioin shall take further necessary action in the matter accordingly.
12. This order issues with the concurrence of Finance (FMU.Edn.)Department vide their U.O. No.Fin-41022/7/2017-SO.FMU(EDN), Dated :10-01-2017.
The post Andhra Pradesh Common Entrance Tests Professional Courses appeared first on Telangana NavaNirmana Sena.