Osmania University's image gone for a toss!!!

The recent mayhem created by the agitating T-boys of Osmania University, who ran amuck on city streets, vandalising public property and damaging private vehicles, has given the management of the 90-year-old University a bizarre feeling of deja vu.

The pattern of violence is similar to the Telangana agitation in 1969, which resulted in the death of about 350 varsity students. Anarchy prevailed; many firms blacklisted OU and some even put up boards that read ‘OU graduates needn’t apply.’

With employee behaviour becoming an important aspect in recruitments, OU is now worried about its dented image and the future of its graduating students. Prof. Tiruapti Rao, vice-chancellor, OU, admits that the varsity needs an image makeover pronto. “We are not against protests, but they should be peaceful. If students create nuisance in the city, the image of the varsity is affected. top MNCs may not be in favour of recruiting students, if visuals of violent students are circulated in the media.”

OU graduates and students are also a worried lot. Some claim they are already facing the brunt of varsity’s bad image. G. Siva Kumar, a B.Sc student of Jhahanavi Degree college, affiliated to OU, says, “Politicians exploit impressionable students to fulfill their aspirations. I am sure this incident will have an impact on not just the university’s reputation but also the value of our degree certificate.” K. Nandini, a third year student of OU College of Technology, agrees, “my friends always say that my university is in the news for everything negative.”