We deserve congratulations on another important count
as well. It is a matter of pride that our University has
obtained ‘A’ grade in reaccreditation by the
NAAC. ‘A’ is the top grade in the latest assessment
scale and I am happy that our University has been placed
in the top category.
Immediately after taking over as the Vice Chancellor I had
made certain commitments and wish to acquaint you with the
progress made along those lines. Infrastructure has been
given top priority and construction of new buildings is
proceeding apace.
A modern, state of the art indoor stadium, international
student hostel and a separate block for the Department of
Biotechnology are the notable ones besides the augmentation
of existing buildings with additional floors. The department
of Nanotechnology and Physical Sciences are to have additional
buildings so that research activities progress unimpeded.
Spacious halls meant for the office of the Controller of
Examinations are under construction which on completion
will ensure that we do not have to depend on Colleges for
evaluation centres.
In addition, there is to be a building for the Civil Services
Coaching Academy. Very soon the campus will have an automobile
service station and this will spare the faculty and staff
from the bother of having to find time to take their vehicles
to outside service stations. Students will soon have a Food
Court which shall provide the right ambience for relaxation
and discussions. I can state with certainty that scarcity
of space will become a thing of the past.
The happy news I want to share is the progress and achievement
by our science departments. In recognition of quality research
publications by our faculty, we have been awarded by the
Department of Science and Technology a grant of ` 9 crores
under the PURSE programme. I am also pleased to inform you
that we are participating in a very significant way in popularizing
science among school students, a top priority government
mission. Two programmes in this regard have been successfully
completed.
This accomplishment is very satisfying as apart from popularizing
science it has been an exercise in fulfilling the moral
and social responsibilities of an institution such as ours.
We have made a strong statement that a University’s
responsibility does not stop with just equipping students
for jobs but moves beyond to ensure productive and dedicated
citizens for our country.
Another positive change is the decentralizing of the Boards
of Studies. Colleges have been given the freedom to design
syllabus to suit better the needs of their students. The
reason behind this move is the firsthand knowledge and understanding
of the college teachers regarding their students. I am sure
that sooner than later the benign results will materialize.
Some of you might be aware of the kind of interest I have
evinced in training our graduates and postgraduates to appear
for the Civil Services Examinations. It is my firm belief
that the Universities should also be concentrating on giving
the country effective and informed leaders with rich intellectual
orientation. In the West, it is common to see administrators
moving to the academia and academicians moving to administration.
The advantage of this mobility is that knowledge created
at the Universities has a bearing on policy decisions. This
synergy definitely helps them achieve excellence in various
spheres of activity.
I could witness this during my recent trip to Australia.
It is with this objective the Civil Service Coaching Academy
has been established in the campus. Every possible effort
is taken to make the academy efficient and I do foresee
Bharathiar University products making a mark in the Indian
Administrative Service in the near future.
I am aware that Bharathiar University in recent times
has been improving on its academic and professional presence.
This is a wonderful opportunity for us to enhance further
its name and fame and this fact prompted me to encourage
in a big way the conduct of conferences and seminars. Scholars
from other countries and the others States of India have
visited our University. The campus has witnessed hectic
activity in this aspect and there will not be any let up.
More and more events of this kind are to follow.
I have long thought about the need for our students to
learn an extra foreign language which can give them a tremendous
advantage when they move out of the country by way of taking
up higher studies or getting employment. Within the country
as well there are good many opportunities for translation.
Either way it is advantageous. The availability of postgraduates
well versed in foreign languages can help us capture and
access newly produced knowledge elsewhere without waiting
for it to be translated into English. Efforts to realize
this are on and soon students in the campus will have facilities
to learn German and French.
Growth happens only where there is space. The human intellect
can never be forced into producing creative and meaningful
work. A staunch believer of this philosophy, I have made
it a point to ensure an atmosphere that is informal, casual
and at the same time encouraging and promoting quality work.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you all for the support
and cooperation extended and hope to enjoy the same. As
I have said earlier the doors to my office and to my mind
are open as ever to your feedback and suggestions.
