Mysuru: University of Mysore (UoM) Registrar (Evaluation) Dr. N. Nagaraja said that exams are a turning point in one’s life and as such students should not take the exams lightly.

He was speaking after inaugurating the day-long workshop on ‘Examination Reforms,’ an initiative of IQAC at JSS College for Women in Saraswathipuram here on Thursday.

Noting that there have been considerable reforms in the exam system in the last two decades, Dr. Nagaraja said importance is being given for student-oriented education and evaluation.

“Before the year 2004, it was difficult to pass exams. There are many instances where students who passed out in second class became rank holders in several subjects. Also, the pass percentage too was low,” he recalled.

Maintaining that the introduction of semester system lessened the burden on students, he said that this system also enabled students to score marks easily, he pointed out.

“Exams should not be like a battle field. There are many changes that can be seen in the changeover to semester scheme. The semester and exams are not the parameters to assess the students learning outcomes. Hence I advise students to be active throughout the academic duration to achieve the set learning outcomes,”  Dr. Nagaraja said.

“The students should be identified by their calibre, expertise and smartness and not by their marks cards,” he argued.

He also advised students to be SMART and SMILE and explained that S stands for Strategy Thinking, M – Measurable Goals, A – Attainable Goals, R – Realistic Goals, T – Timing  and S – Study the situation, M – Meet the crises, I – Interaction with the conflict, L – Learning and E – Execution.

Chief guest Dr. H. Vishwanatha, Registrar (Evaluation), Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), addressed the gathering by quoting Basavanna’s vachana and explained how it inspires the people to lead a successful life. He maintained that  teachers play a vital role like a candle in the life of students.

He  explained that learning is a continuous process where teachers can also learn from students.

Dr. M.N. Narasimhamurthy, Statistician (Retd), Examination Reforms Cell, UoM, in his Presidential address, highlighted that the Education and Examination system were introduced by the British. He opined that conducting examination is not an easy task.

B. Niranjana Murthy, Assistant Director, College Education Division, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Principal Dr. Rechanna, Controller of Examinations M.M. Swamy and others were present.