18^th February, 2013:- In a wide ranging interaction with the press here today, the Vice-Chancellor of Panjab University, Prof. Arun K. Grover apprised the journalists of forthcoming events to be held on campus. Many eminent scientists, artistes, journalists and other noted luminaries belonging to various fields will be addressing the faculty and students in the coming few months. The event schedule is attached along with additional details.

The Vice Chancellor spoke of restructuring the course framework offered by the University in keeping with the concept paper prepared by various faculties of the University as well as the Quorum of Chairpersons. He said that a University is meant for Higher Education and this itself begins at the under graduate level. Keeping in mind the reforms suggested by the UGC and the University’s own Vision 2020 Document, the Vice Chancellor envisioned the University offering a continuous seven-year program wherein a student would have the flexibility and the option to study up to a particular level comprising a certain number of years and also to do more than one specialization. He spoke of competing with universities both at the national and the international level that looked at education as something that went beyond a degree-gathering exercise

The Vice Chancellor also shared his views on how a university needs to become self sufficient and financially viable while keeping the burden on the students to the barest minimum, well within the bounds of inflation.

The Vice Chancellor also clarified certain misconceptions that had gained coverage in the media. As regards the issue of the constitution of a Committee in the Dental College, he clarified that the Committee is only an advisory body on the lines of a Think Tank. It is neither a monitoring body nor an auditing body. This Committee is itself in the nature of a small experiment since the Dental College offers a professional course, has an under graduate programme, an attached hospital and therefore has a larger social purpose. In fact he was of the opinion that professional courses, where a greater intimacy of interaction is required between industry and academia, should have both internal and external national and international inputs for their correct and sustained growth – a goal that any educational institution should aspire towards.

Regarding the filling up of vacancies in the University teaching departments, the Vice Chancellor said the UGC had been contacted regarding a clarification on whether the current API system had been discontinued or whether there were any proposed guidelines for its replacement. “It is only then that the University will be in a position to advertise and subsequently to screen applications,” he said.

Press Release No-85

                                                                                                                                    MK