Cusat lacks venues for functions

KOCHI: For the University Union inauguration, the students highlighted the venue as ‘Opposite the abandoned open-air auditorium,’ to mark their protest against the unavailability of a proper venue for conducting a function.The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) students also made a tomb with RIP worded in bold at the auditorium to express their frustration, as its renovation work has come to a standstill ever since the Prime Minister’s function at the legal studies department was cancelled in February this year. Until then, the work was being done on a war footing, alleged a few students. Almost all the auditoriums are either under construction, renovation or not fit for such functions, said the union office bearers. The work of Science Seminar Complex, Software Block has been going on for years, yet they have come up with new projects. The work of the new Common Amenity Centre is also not progressing, they alleged. No wonder the vice-chancellors’ meet is being held at Flora Airport Hotel in Nedumbassery, they said.The auditorium was set up in 1985 with much fanfare. It was a hub of activities but a small portion fell off during the renovation work, which was done in a hurry when a Prime Minister’s function was scheduled a few years ago. Still, it functioned as an open-air auditorium till some time ago.However last year, the syndicate decided to roof the structure with an imported material from Malaysia. A contractor from Delhi was assigned the work. But only the skeletal structure has been completed. The roofing and pillars are yet to be put up, said Union chairman Aadhish. “We were denied permission to conduct the function in the half-baked auditorium as it is unsafe. We put up a ‘pandal’ for this function. A large chunk of our funds are spent on makeshift venues,” said Ashwin, union secretary. The registrar and pro-vice-chancellor were not available for comment as they were busy with the VCs’ meet.The union was inaugurated by Prof M K Sanu on Thursday. Writer Vaishakan and actor Aashiq Abu were the special guests. Aadish presided over the function.