'Education of girls is bound to get a boost'

VC of Doon University Prof Girijesh Pant, in an exclusive interview outlines several ambitious plans for the university to keep it in the forefront of the academic world...

Anjali Nauriyal

Doon University has within just a few years of its establishment, become the most sought after amongst students, especially of Uttarakhand. Even students from other adjoining states are showing keen interest in joining the university.

"Being at the helm of a new setup is exciting and has its own challenges," avers the VC. "There is ample scope for visualizing and implementing. But added to this is a huge sense of responsibility that does not allow you to take things for granted. If we can position ourselves well that should not be difficult."

The VC informs that in the last few months things have accelerated at the University. "In the new academic session three new schools are being introduced, namely School of Languages, School of Management and School of Social Sciences," he adds. "Importantly we are trying to ensure that we are able to provide teaching of national standard," he emphasises.

In the School of Languages the varsity would be starting Chinese, German and Spanish. "A survey conducted at the Delhi University and JNU gave us feedback that there are maximum job opportunities for those well-versed with the Chinese language," Prof Pant explains. "China is a big trade partner of India, so big companies are on the lookout for those who know this language. Spanish is spoken in South America and specially in emerging markets. German too is much in demand. So with the introduction of these, hundreds of our students can be benefitted.

Jobs for them will be assured. These courses would be especially handy for girls from our states whose parents are hesitant to send them far off to study. So education of girls in the state is bound to get a boost. Doon University can provide the option for better courses while staying at home and preparing for jobs."

With the view of making the University an excellent centre of learning, faculty from outside are being considered. "We are also exploring the possibility of starting an exchange programme with Germany. Even if our students are able to stay there for a month or so, they can get associated with big companies. GTZ is here and we are in touch with them," articulates the VC.

Taking the varsity a league ahead would be the introduction of School of Indian Languages in a couple of years.

Talking about the Management School, the VC elaborates, "We will make it a national level school, if not an international one. The idea is to train people for the competitive markets all over the world and above all be relevant to the requirements of the state of Uttarakhand where the varsity is situated. Tourism and Hospitality would be relevant areas of specialization. Finance Marketing and HR Development courses offer a whole lot of possibilities for entrepreneurship. Public System Management would include the utility sector, the transport sector as well as research. Municipal Corporation Management is one area that can be looked at seriously. A studio for communication students, animation courses and remedial classes are being regularised. Lots of international funding organisations are giving money for different schemes."

Rather than just having water tight compartments, the VC is keen to introduce inter-disciplinary projects. "Apart from encouraging all disciplines to grow we would be offering collaborative teaching. Here importantly our concern for Uttarakhand will be reflected as an illustrative case in all courses."

"The varsity is looking at a socially relevant role and would therefore not compromise on standards and would continuously search for solutions for the state," he concludes.