Friday, October 7 2005 16:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The ban on use of cell phones and the imposition of a dress code for students within the campus of Anna University from September 1 have not only been welcomed by parents and students, but is also being emulated by some universities in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Orissa.

"These restrictions have already brought about substantial improvement in their education and students are now faring better and getting more marks in the internal assessment examinations, as per feedback from teachers', Anna University Vice-Chancellor, D Viswanathan told sources in an interview.

Nearly four lakh students studying in 230 engineering colleges affiliated to the Anna University have been covered under these restrictions.

Detailing the reasons that prompted him to take this decision, Viswanathan said cell phones were a 'big nuisance' for students within the campus. 'When the bell rings and the students say hello, hello, it disturbs not only the other students, but the teachers as well'.

"When classes are on, some students are busy in sending SMS. Those who have camera-phones with E-mail facilities, record answers while writing their examinations", he said, adding that these distractions hampered their studies. "We thought of the ban as we are planning to turn this university into a world-class centre in engineering education. It will be difficult to compete internationally if students do not cooperate', he said.

Turning to the dress code, Viswanathan said many girl students often came to classes, sporting jeans and other modern dresses, exposing more than half of their bodies. 'Such dresses distract not only other students, but teachers as well', he regretted.

As for the boys, some of them came to classes sporting T-shirts, most of them with 'vulgar writings'.

Viswanathan said education was something very important in one's life and students would have to follow some discipline. 'During the eight hours in classes, they have to be decently dressed, while they have every liberty to dress as they please in their homes and outside the campus premises, over which we have no say or control".

The Vice-chancellor said students wasted a lot of time under the garb of following cinema culture. 'It ruins their study time and in the process, they fare poorly in the exams'.

"There is now an excellent environment inside the university campus. Students now have more time for their studies and teachers also feel comfortable'. In fact, none of the students offered any resistance to the imposition of dress code and ban on cellphone use, he said.

Asked what prompted him to order such a ban, Viswanathan said for any university in the country, 'there is a code of conduct'.

"Those at the helm of affairs earlier did not implement it, whereas I am implementing the code now, that is all', the Vice-chancellor added.