'Dream high, rise high': Panjab University's first woman VC to students

LUDHIANA: Upon taking over the helm of the Panjab University on Wednesday, vice-chancellor Prof Renu Vig on Thursday said in a press conference that she was happy her female students and faculty members were looking up to her as a role model. "I want my students to dream high and rise high," said the new VC.
Panjab University (PU) officiating vice-chancellor Prof Renu Vig was on Wednesday appointed as the vice-chancellor for a three-year term, making her the first woman to hold the post.
Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankar, who is also the chancellor of the university, made the appointment on the recommendation of a three-member search-cum-selection committee he had formed on March 21. Vig, who had held the charge of dean of university instruction, had been the officiating VC since January 16.
"It is a proud moment for me and I hope girl students are motivated by these turn of events. They should be inspired that they can also hold leadership roles," said Vig, who had been one of the few women students in her engineering batch at Punjab Engineering College.
On her three-month journey as the officiating VC, Vig said the role demanded a lot of time and efforts and some hard decisions had to be taken. Undeterred, she listed out her future plans.
In the next three years, Vig said her main aim would be giving more flexibility to students by automating some processes; maintaining a balance between skill-oriented and value-based courses; and encouraging self-employment. "I want students to lead a balanced life so they can meet the demands of both industry and society," she said.
On being asked about whether she would crackdown against the culture of politics, Vig said, "PU has always been politically charged, that's there and there's not much we can do about that. But my aim is to introduce holistic learning and give proper exposure of sports and co-curricular activities to my students, so they can utilise their time here instead."
On being asked about action against the former PU VC Raj Kumar, who was accused of corruption, Vig shared a committee was earlier formed to investigate that and a report would soon be prepared.
'A welcome move'
Former PU VC Prof Arun Kumar Grover told TOI he had forwarded five names to the selection committee, with Vig being one of them. "Vig is a very good academician and a well-deserving candidate. I am very happy that someone with her capability and caliber has been made the VC of PU," he said.
Given her years-long journey with the varsity, Vig shares a special connection with students.
"I am very happy to know that we got a VC who understands us and has always supported the students. She is a student-oriented VC," said Aayush Khatkar, president of PU Campus Students' Union, and a member of AAP's student wing CYSS. ABVP's Shaurya Mehra hoped Vig could be a role model for women students. NSUI's Sachin Galav and Sathh's Jodh Singh called it an inspiring moment, happy the varsity has got a female head.