VC: Don’t use seminar halls to criticise Panjab University

CHANDIGARH: Panjab University vice-chancellor Prof Raj Kumar has issued strict instructions to chairpersons to be careful while making recommendations for the use of the seminar/conference hall. Sources said that the vice-chancellor, in a meeting held here, asked chairpersons to ensure that no such events are organized at University seminar halls where participants speak against the University or say anything that harms its interests. Seminar halls of the University departments can be used only on the recommendation of the department chairperson.

Sources said the VC also asked chairpersons to fix the number of classes for guest faculty. There was a lengthy discussion on file pendency in various departments. Sources said that the files in the departments are delayed and that the file work should be expedited.

Vice-chancellor Prof Raj Kumar also told department chairpersons to maintain records of defaulter students who are short of attendance. The VC asked chairpersons to maintain proper records of defaulters right from the beginning, instead of condoning their attendance just before exams.

Moreover, dean alumni Prof Deepti Gupta said that part of the fee should be made mandatory for the alumni fund. On this, the VC said the departments can introduce a provision to keep a record of students graduating in their last semester. They said this would help the university build an alumni database effectively, sources said.

Panjab University vice-chancellor Prof Raj Kumar also apprised chairpersons about the University’s plans to increase around 25% seats to implement 10% reservation for economically weaker sections of the general category. Panjab University will have to increase around 4,250 seats to implement the quota. The University has estimated that Rs 500 crore will be required to implement the quota.

PU will need roughly around 100 additional classrooms, 100 laboratories, five new hostels for boys and girls besides teachers to accommodate 4,250 additional students. The UGC, in a communication sent to the University on January 18, asked the University to submit the programme-wise seat-matrix and the financial requirement to implement the quota by January 31, 2019 since it has to be implemented from the 2019-20 session.