Academicians discuss mission and vision of HP Central University

Former HPU V-C Prof V R Mehta asked Prof Furqan to make the new university truly a ‘world-class’ institution by bringing best teachers and make them accountable for the teaching programmes. “The university should focus on the basic needs of students and development of basic disciplines. The university must also be unique in its vision,” he stressed.

Prof Shahid Mahdi,former V-C of Jamia Milia Islamia,and Prof Tej Pratap,V-C of Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University,said the focus should be on local needs of the university.

Baldi was of the view that the university should define its ultimate goals and outcomes. Prof A M Pathan,V-C of Karnataka Central University,said the location of Dharamshala,a popular town with good infrastructure,would help attract good teaching faculty.

There were also views against the university having two campuses — at Dharamshala and Dehra. Dr Batra stressed the need for identifying thrust areas like mountain ecology and environment,a view endorsed by most participants.

Prof Furqan said: “This is first-ever ground-level exercise on the university’s academic architecture and layout,to be later followed up by another similar event in Delhi.”