Vice chancellor Vilas Sapkal's silence was conspicuous since he took over Nagpur University, with many issues plaguing the institution. On Tuesday, he decided to break the silence and spoke to the media in a freewheeling interaction lasting almost two hours. He announced a slew of innovative programmes to improve the working of the university, which are expected to go a long way in benefiting students.
Sapkal was accompanied by registrar Mahesh Yenkie, controller of examinations Siddharth Kane and PRO Sanjay Bahekar at the meeting. Though the VC spoke at length on all issues, including many contentious ones, he refused to set a time frame for any developmental programme saying that "as in any public enterprise, like municipal corporation, any proposal takes time as it goes through several processes".
He even declined to name a pro-VC. On the positive side, he said he doesn't want to look back at the actions taken during the tenures of earlier VCs, for which he may have to face criticism, and will instead look forward to a fruitful term.
He also said that the canteens at campus and administrative block, which have been closed since last two years, would be reopened soon.
Single window system for students
NU's 38th VC has announced a munch-needed single window system for students to address their grievances. These windows would be opened in three NU premises - exam section, campus and administrative block opposite Maharajbag. "It was a long pending demand. The students will not only get all the information but also all documents at these centres," Sapkal said.
Efforts to improve exam system/results
The NU boss expressed concern over delays in declaring results of both exams and revaluation results, and promised to improve the condition. "It is really sad that MEd results have not been declared since last year. But we're trying our best. I am closely working with the CoE and personally monitoring the progress, so that results can be announced earlier. We've also finalised plans for the summer exams. We're plugging the loopholes in the system," he said. He said a biometric system to record employees' attendance will also be set up soon, to help rule out delays due to truant staff.
1 GBPS Internet line at campus soon
Sapkal announced that NU has inked a pact with National Knowledge Network (NKN), which was a key recommendation of the National Knowledge Commission. This will offer a whopping speed of one gigabyte per second (GBPS) to users, and could be upgraded to 60 GBPS later. "Under NKN, all colleges will get 20 Internet connections at a nominal rate of Rs 1,100 to 1,200 per year. We're upgrading the LAN set up in the campus, and the new net connections will be operational soon," he said. TOI had highlighted the plight of campus students and lecturers in its Tuesday's edition due to the lack of Internet connectivity since last May.
LIT problems persist
The LIT alumnus admitted that problems persist in the institution, but pointed out that some of them have been there since years. "The problems of vacancies and lack of infrastructure have been around since 1984. We're making efforts on these fronts. We've already published an advertisement for many posts. Renovation work worth Rs 1.5 crores is underway to improve infrastructure. Unfortunately, the PWD had been given two deadlines, but failed to meet them," Sapkal said. He added that NU will make a provision for purchase of equipment and furniture for LIT in the budget for next two years. "Even UGC has granted Rs 78 lakhs under its 11th five year plan. We will focus on improving the condition of management and pharma departments as well," he said.
Express feeder line this year
The NU chief vowed to implement the proposal of an express feeder line, which has been pending since the last 10 years. Such a line would provide uninterrupted power supply to all NU departments. "Our talks with MSEDCL are close to being finalized, and it will become a reality this year," he assured.
PhD entrance, CBCS shortly
Sapkal said modalities are being worked out to conduct PhD entrance exams, which have been started in all other universities. Even choice-based credit system (CBCS), which has not been implemented only in NU, would be in place probably from the next academic session. "We're also looking to reduce the time taken for approval of PhD synopsis. We want to reduce gaps between processes," he said.
Sapkal was accompanied by registrar Mahesh Yenkie, controller of examinations Siddharth Kane and PRO Sanjay Bahekar at the meeting. Though the VC spoke at length on all issues, including many contentious ones, he refused to set a time frame for any developmental programme saying that "as in any public enterprise, like municipal corporation, any proposal takes time as it goes through several processes".
He even declined to name a pro-VC. On the positive side, he said he doesn't want to look back at the actions taken during the tenures of earlier VCs, for which he may have to face criticism, and will instead look forward to a fruitful term.
He also said that the canteens at campus and administrative block, which have been closed since last two years, would be reopened soon.
Single window system for students
NU's 38th VC has announced a munch-needed single window system for students to address their grievances. These windows would be opened in three NU premises - exam section, campus and administrative block opposite Maharajbag. "It was a long pending demand. The students will not only get all the information but also all documents at these centres," Sapkal said.
Efforts to improve exam system/results
The NU boss expressed concern over delays in declaring results of both exams and revaluation results, and promised to improve the condition. "It is really sad that MEd results have not been declared since last year. But we're trying our best. I am closely working with the CoE and personally monitoring the progress, so that results can be announced earlier. We've also finalised plans for the summer exams. We're plugging the loopholes in the system," he said. He said a biometric system to record employees' attendance will also be set up soon, to help rule out delays due to truant staff.
1 GBPS Internet line at campus soon
Sapkal announced that NU has inked a pact with National Knowledge Network (NKN), which was a key recommendation of the National Knowledge Commission. This will offer a whopping speed of one gigabyte per second (GBPS) to users, and could be upgraded to 60 GBPS later. "Under NKN, all colleges will get 20 Internet connections at a nominal rate of Rs 1,100 to 1,200 per year. We're upgrading the LAN set up in the campus, and the new net connections will be operational soon," he said. TOI had highlighted the plight of campus students and lecturers in its Tuesday's edition due to the lack of Internet connectivity since last May.
LIT problems persist
The LIT alumnus admitted that problems persist in the institution, but pointed out that some of them have been there since years. "The problems of vacancies and lack of infrastructure have been around since 1984. We're making efforts on these fronts. We've already published an advertisement for many posts. Renovation work worth Rs 1.5 crores is underway to improve infrastructure. Unfortunately, the PWD had been given two deadlines, but failed to meet them," Sapkal said. He added that NU will make a provision for purchase of equipment and furniture for LIT in the budget for next two years. "Even UGC has granted Rs 78 lakhs under its 11th five year plan. We will focus on improving the condition of management and pharma departments as well," he said.
Express feeder line this year
The NU chief vowed to implement the proposal of an express feeder line, which has been pending since the last 10 years. Such a line would provide uninterrupted power supply to all NU departments. "Our talks with MSEDCL are close to being finalized, and it will become a reality this year," he assured.
PhD entrance, CBCS shortly
Sapkal said modalities are being worked out to conduct PhD entrance exams, which have been started in all other universities. Even choice-based credit system (CBCS), which has not been implemented only in NU, would be in place probably from the next academic session. "We're also looking to reduce the time taken for approval of PhD synopsis. We want to reduce gaps between processes," he said.
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