HPU turns 42; Governor moots archeology dept,unveils anthem

Saying that since tourism was the biggest revenue-earner for the state,HPU should think of introducing courses,which could open new avenues for students,the Governor said: “Lakhs and lakhs of tourists visit Himachal Pradesh. If the university starts a course for tourist guides,it will be immensely useful. Equally important is archeology as the state has rich cultural heritage. I feel the university can explore these possibilities,” she said.

For the first time,the university unveiled its anthem written by Dr Rajindra Mishra — a renowned Sanskrit scholar and former vice-chancellor of Dr Sampoornanda Sanskrit University. The university newsletter,a research house journal and a complication of half-a-dozen research works by HPU departments were also introduced. An MoU was also signed with the National Institute of Technology,Hamirpur.

“This is just the beginning of translating new ideas into reality. More is in the pipeline — one among these is the University Vision 2020 document,which I will handover to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on August 15,” Vice-Chancellor A D N Vajpai said.

On his part,Dhumal drew the attention to the fact that the state spends Rs 1.60 lakh for each student of the university.

“Himachal Pradesh is only state in the country which has earmarked 18 per cent of its budget for education against 4.8 per cent at the national level,” he said.

Justifying opening of private universities in the state,he added that except for four districts — Bilaspur,Chamba,Mandi and Kullu — no more such universities will be opened in the already saturated districts.