AIFUCTO 26th Statutory Conference - Circular I
ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE TEACHERS’ ORGANISATIONS
(AIFUCTO)
XXVI STATUTORY CONFERENCE
Hosted by
MUTA
(Madurai-Kamaraj, Manonnmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Theresa and Alagappa University Teachers’ Association)
Conf. Office: MUTA Office, 1 North Car Street, Near Nagaraja Temple, Nagarcoil – 629001
18-08-11
Dear friends,
Fraternal Greetings from the MUTA and the AIFUCTO!
We are happy to announce that the 26th Statutory Conference of the All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations will be held at Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu from 20th to 22nd October, 2011. We cordially invite the delegates from the affiliated organisations of the AIFUCTO to participate in the Conference.
The Conference is an occasion for the delegates to review the activities of the organisation since the last conference, to analyse the situation prevailing in the country and also around the world, the changes that have been taking place around us especially in the field of education and to arrive at a suitable response to the happenings around us and to chalk out suitable form of action to realise our demands.
The conference is held against the backdrop of increasing attacks on the education system of the country. The higher education system is more and more privatised resulting in total commercialisation of higher education. There is an attempt to make higher education a commodity of global trade. The Govt. of India has proposed many legislative steps to legalise the privatisation and commercialisation of education. In addition to that, there has been an attempt to centralise higher education in violation of the constitutional principles specifying a role for both the state and the central governments in the field of higher education.
Apart from that, the Govt. of India is apathetic to our demands too. The Union Govt. has not released the Central share to meet the implementation of the UGC pay scales resulting in non-payment of arrears arising out of the pay revision to teachers in many states. Moreover our demand to withdraw the hurdles imposed on the young teachers to acquire career advancements and promotions through an unscientific point system has fallen on deaf ears.
Because of the neo-liberal economic policies, there is an attack on the social security benefits for the employees. The Govt. has introduced the PFRDA Bill which would result in leaving the contribution of both the employees and the government to the vagaries of the market which would ultimately even deny pension and other retirement benefits to the employees.
The Conference is held during such a critical phase and the AIFUCTO which is in the vanguard of the teachers’ movement has a significant role to play, for which the conference has to discuss and show proper direction to the movement.
About the host:
MUTA (Madurai-Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Theresa and Alagappa University Teachers’ Association) which is a militant teachers’ Organisation and which, since its inception, has been in the vanguard of the teachers’ movement in Tamilnadu is hosting this conference. Founded in 1970, When the Madurai University was bifurcated from the University of Madras, it started fighting for the rights of the teachers even before it could be relieved of its birth pangs. An organisation functioning in 4 districts of the State, it could get job security, direct payment and even the III UGC scales to the entire teaching community of the State. For this, in 1977, the teachers had to boycott the exams, picket the centres and were remanded to jail. Even women teachers showed exemplary courage by courting arrest. This paved the way for a united college teachers’ Movement in Tamilnadu since 1979. MUTA has participated in all the movements of AIFUCTO and has contributed to the struggles, policies and even the leadership of AIFUCTO.
Hence, MUTA is proud to host the conference, that too in Kanyakumari.
About the Venue:
Kanyakumari is a well-known tourist and pilgrim centre in South India. It is the southernmost tip of our country. It is a rare place where the tri-seas, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal converge. It would be a pleasure to spend time on the beautiful beaches. People, around the country, and even those who visit the country from abroad, throng to have a glimpse of the Sun Rise and Sun Set, which is a feast to the eye. It was here that Swami Vivekananda swam across the turbulent sea to meditate on a rock surrounded by the sea.
Apart from Kanyakumari, there are beautiful places around. Muttam and Kovalam beaches are very beautiful places to see. It would be a spectacular sight to see the turbulent sea, the gentle streams, the winding rivers and the majestic hills embrace each other. It is very near Kerala and people who visit Kanyakumari could also visit Kerala. The backwaters of Kerala are places which are the gifts of nature. So, we are happy we could provide an opportunity for our delegates to visit this geographically important part of the country.
How to reach:
Kanyakumari is well connected by train and bus. The next nearest railway station is Nagercoil which is half an hour journey from Kanyakumari. There are direct trains to Kanyakumari/ Nagercoil from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Jammu, Guwahati and Kolkatta. Delegates from the North could also travel via Chennai and Madurai or could travel via Coimbatore, Trivandrum etc. There are direct trains to Chennai and Trivandrum from many parts of the country. You could get a connecting train to Kanyakumari and Nagercoil from Chennai. Delegates also may come via Trivandrum by air or train. The nearest airport is Trivandrum which is two and a half hour journey from Kanyakumari. From the Trivandrum Bus station, just opposite to the Trivandrum Railway station, there are buses to Kanyakumari/Nagercoil every 5 minutes. From 19th morning, volunteers will receive the delegates at both Kanyakumari and Nagercoil stations if the organisers are intimated about the arrival of the delegates.
Delegate Fee:
Delegates will have to pay a delegate of Rs 1000/- per head. Affiliating organisations are requested to send the list of delegates and observers along with a Demand Draft for the Delegate fees drawn in favour of XXVI Statutory Conference of AIFUCTO payable at Vickramasingapuram before 15th September, 2011. You may also pay directly into account number 1127101041034 (Canara Bank) in the name of ‘XXVI STATUTORY CONFERENCE OF AIFUCTO’ (IFSC Code: CNRB 0001127). Observers/ Family members also will have to pay the delegate fees. However Conference Kits will be provided only to the Delegates.
Stay and Accommodation:
Kanyakumari is a small town and is a tourist centre. It would be very difficult to find accommodation if we don’t book accommodation sufficiently early. Hence, those who register after 15th September may be provided accommodation only at Nagercoil, 20 kms away from Kanyakumari. So affiliating organisations are requested to send the list of delegates/observers and family members along with the DD for the delegate fee before 15th September to avoid last minute difficulties.
Accommodation will be available for the delegates from 19th October to the evening of 22nd October. If delegates wish to stay after that, arrangements may be made for their stay, but the delegates concerned will have to pay for that.
Souvenir:
During the Conference a Souvenir commemorating the Conference will be released with articles of leading academics and our leaders. Delegates may send their articles to Dr. S. Murugan, Editor of the Conference Souvenir. Articles may be sent through email to sm.visak@yahoo.co.in in MS Word format or may be sent to him to the Organising committee address. Affiliating Organisations are also requested to collect and contribute advertisements which would be financially helpful for the publication of the souvenir. Tariff forms are sent along with this circular. Articles and advertisements along with the advertisement charges may be sent before 30-09-11.
Tariff rates: Half page – Rs 3000/-
Full page – Rs 5000/-
Full page (multi-coulour) – Rs 10000/-
Cover page (inner) – Rs 20000/-
Cover page (outer) – Rs 25000/-
National Seminar:
As part of the Conference, a National Seminar on ‘New Initiatives in Higher Education and their Impact on Equity and Excellence’ will be held in which leading academics and leaders will participate and present papers. Those who wish to present papers may send their papers along with the abstract and a Registration fee of Rs 1500/- (1000/- delegate fee + 500/- fee for copy of abstracts) to Dr. C. Radhakrishnan, Convenor of Seminar Committee thro email to rknairsthc@gmail.com for articles and abstracts. The Registration fee should be drawn in favour of XXVI Conference of AIFUCTO payable at Vickramasingapuram before 06-10-11.
MUTA is taking every effort to make the conference a success and see that the delegates may be comfortable and their visit may be a fruitful and memorable one. We request the cooperation of the affiliating organisations in this effort. Delegates may send their suggestions and requests for the successful conduct of the Conference. You may contact the organisers through their mobiles or email id aifucto26thconference@gmail.com.
Let us together make the conference a success and together strengthen the AIFUCTO.
Prof. S. Vivekanandan Prof. S. Subbaraj Prof. T. Manohara Justus
Convener Conference Treasurer Organising Secretary
President, MUTA Treasurer, MUTA General Secretary, MUTA
094433 80252 094439 70510 `094435 79457
Prof. A. James William Prof. Nikhil Desai Prof. Asok Barman
President Treasurer General Secretary
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