Third term unlikely for VC ADN Bajpai

Bhanu P Lohumi

Himachal Pradesh University Vice-Chancellor Prof ADN Bajpai, whose term is expiring on May 24, is unlikely to get an extension. Pro-VC Prof RS Chauhan will act as Vice-Chancellor till the new V-C is appointed.

“The process may take some time as the government is yet to appoint the search committee, but the term of Prof Chauhan is also expiring next month,” sources in the government said.

Bajpai, who was appointed by the BJP government in May 2011, got the second term during the Congress regime. His six-year-long tenure was full of challenges, marked by agitations, violence and prolonged strikes by students as his ‘over jealous’ attempt to implement RUSA at undergraduate level earned him wrath of students and teachers and also political parties as it virtually created a chaos.

The long-pending issue of fee hike was dealt deftly by the Vice-Chancellor who thwarted all attempts to roll back the fee hike and had his way. Another controversial decision taken by him was scrapping of direct elections to Students Central Association (SCA) in colleges and university to enforce discipline.

The state witnessed year-long agitation for the revival of SCA elections, but the VC was unrelenting and stood his ground. Even after scrapping of SCA elections, there was temporary peace on the campus, but violent clashes in the university between the SFI and the ABVP during the last two days was the parting gift for the outgoing V-C.

The university was accorded “A” grade by the NAAC which was considered as a big achievement, HPU got 200 bighas of land near Ghanahatti for developing second campus, 70 teachers and about 200 non-teaching employees were recruited in the past six years while on the academic HPU got 70 research projects.

Sources in the university said the V-C was keen to make promotions of the staff both teaching and non-teaching to streamline the functioning and strengthen the faculty before demitting office.

Nod to translated Hindi version of Acts, Ordinances

The executive council and University Court of the HPU has approved the translated Hindi version of Acts, Ordinances and statuary of the university and it would now be sent to the Governor for final approval.

A seven-member team of teachers from English, Hindi and Law Department worked overtime to complete the project and translated version running into 1,000 pages was prepared. The Hindi translation would be valid for all purposes, but in case of any discrepancy in translated version, the original English text would be accepted.

Management fest organised

Management fest, 2017, was organised by the Himachal Pradesh University Business School on May 20. Prof Shyam Kaushal, director, HPUBS, presented the report of the major activities undertaken during the year and highlighted the role of the Alumni Association, IMSSA.

He said the IMSSA was the first registered association of any department in the university which motivated students to organise various activities like declamation, debates, Management quiz, creative writing and rangoli.