An Interview with Vice-Chancellor of Doon University

Doon University should be upgraded to national status: Prof Girijesh Pant

By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 2 Apr 2009:

In appearance, Prof Girijesh Pant, presently Vice Chancellor of Doon University, looks a simple man, yet he is not a man of few words.

With nine books to his credit, Pant, who has a 30 year long academic/administrative career, is also Head of Centre for West Asian & African Studies at JNU (he is on deputation here). He has also been VC of Guru Ghasidas University (Chhattisgarh) prior to taking over as VC of Doon University in January 2009.

Known as an expert on West Asian affairs, among his well known books are -- ‘India: The Emerging Energy Player’, ‘India’s search for energy security: Prospects for cooperation with extended neighbourhood’, etc.

His last lecture as an expert on West Asian Affairs was at a seminar organised by Centre for Security Analysis (Chennai) on 17 March, where he presented a paper on ‘The future of energy security…’.

Interestingly, Pant’s current stint as Doon Varsity VC brings him closer to the state where his grandparents had spent their lifetime (ie at Almora).

In a free wheeling chat with Garhwal Post, he spoke about various issues surrounding Doon University, in particular, and the state of Higher Education, in general.

Some excerpts from the interview:

Q. Keeping in view your experience as a professor and as an administrator, how do you look at Doon University?

Doon University, which is a state university, is visualised as a place that would help transform higher education in the state. Here, we would rope in high quality teachers and start courses relevant to the times.

Our objective at Doon University (DU) is not only to teach students inside the classrooms, but also to give them requisite field experience. In principle, we would also give equal emphasis to, both, teaching and research components.

Unfortunately, the present teaching methodology adopted in many institutions of higher learning is still based on archaic methods. And I would strive to bring some changes by bringing in contemporary teaching methodology.

Q. Location wise, what advantages do you see for DU, which is touted as a would-be centre of excellence in higher education?

What is a well known fact outside Uttarakhand is Doon’s schooling system. DU, in its present location, is the right place for outgoing students of Dehradun schools, who presently prefer to migrate outside for higher education.

Q. What innovative approaches are you planning to introduce in DU?

Although it is a state university, we would hire the best brains for all the respective schools. Among some of the innovations to be introduced at DU would be scrutiny of faculty performance at regular intervals, introduction of ‘Smart Blackboard’, by which actual classroom lectures would be recorded on CDs and given to students for future reference on the topic.

At the same time, these CDs would also used simultaneously for evaluating the faculty performance by giving them to their peer groups, whose feedback would then be given to the faculty.

Similarly, unlike the present evaluation system followed in other universities, we would also bring some changes at DU. For instance, a small component in the students’ evaluation would also involve an Open Book Exam, where they would be allowed to answer questions by referring to the books. We would also give a portion of marks for communication skills as well. In this method, a student would be grilled by his peer group on a given topic from his course curriculum.

Moreover, for the benefit of DU students, we would also introduce a ‘Scholars in Residence’ programme, where subject experts would stay in the campus for a short duration to interact with students.

Q. Would DU grant affiliation to other colleges?

DU is primarily a Residential University. But if you study the University’s ‘Concept Paper’, there is a mention of having outreach centres/ satellite centres elsewhere.

Though in a broad sense, DU is also empowered to grant affiliation to colleges, this may not happen for now as the University is still struggling with its own teething problems.

Actually, at this juncture, when the University is yet to establish its own credibility, as well as standards and consolidate its structure, it is not in a position to get bogged down with things like conducting examinations, evaluations, etc., for affiliated colleges. Most probably, this may have to wait for five years.

Q. What fee structure is Doon University envisaging for its courses? Will it be affordable?

Though it would follow all laws concerning reservations for students, by virtue of being a class university, the fees would, most probably, be set accordingly. Even though it is a state funded University, the envisaged fee structure would take into account state of the art infrastructure, world class faculty, technology, etc., for its long term sustenance.

Significantly, the state government would have a final say about the fee structure for all DU courses. So far, there have not been any guidelines in this regard. But one thing that is to be kept in mind is that DU has no profit motive at its core.

Q. On the one hand, DU wants to get the best faculty members, who would most probably be from reputed institutions/ universities outside, but what percentage of outside students would it admit?

The local, non-local students’ ratio as well as reservations for various disadvantaged groups in the state is yet to be worked out.

Q. With regard to physical infrastructure, how much work has been completed so far at DU?

My predecessor Prof Gajendra Singh, during his tenure as VC, managed to do a commendable job. So far, at our Kedarpur Campus, which is spread over 55 acres, 40% of the work has been completed. In two years time, we plan to complete all the work there.

Similarly, for our second campus based in Sahaspur, the work would start on war footing after work on the first campus gets over. But, if we get desired funds from the state, we would go ahead with our work at Sahaspur campus, earlier, where we are planning to start a Bio-Diversity Park and a Technology Incubation Centre.

Q. In all, how many schools would be started at DU? How many courses would be introduced this year?

In all, there would be 8 schools, of which we would start two courses/ schools — Mass Communication and a course in Environmental Studies -- from this academic year. Alongside them, we would also offer a one year diploma programme in Animation, Journalism and Natural Resource Management on the lines of IGNOU.

Similarly, from 2010, we would also start offering PhD programmes for NET qualified students in a few subjects. At the same time, we have also set a tentative date to operationalise three other schools as well.

But the election time has created hurdles for DU, as without clearance from the Election Commission (EC), we are not in a position to conduct interviews for the short-listed professors in the above mentioned two courses. We are yet to get the EC nod to carry ahead our faculty recruitment drive.

Q. What is your vision for DU?

I would love to see DU grow up to become a brand -- Its students being reckoned seriously in the Global Knowledge Economy. Unlike the old times, knowledge today is no more confined to a locality or the nation. Similarly, I would want DU to become a source of pride for the people of the state.

For the future, as the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) headed by Sam Pitroda has observed in one of its recommendations, I would want DU to be elevated to the level of a National University.

(On 4 April, Prof Girijesh Pant would also deliver a lecture under the aegis of the Doon Library & Research Centre on the topic ‘Doon University: Vision and Roadmap’ at 4:30 p.m. at Regent Hotel).

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