Chitkara University third in Swachhta rankings

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 15

Chitkara University, Barotiwala, has been ranked third in the Swachhta Rankings-2017 of the higher educational institutions.

A total of 3,500 higher educational institutions participated from across the country. In all, 25 best institutions were selected in four categories for the Swachhta award announced last evening.

After initial scrutiny, the university was examined by a team of the UGC on August 23. The ranking took note of two basic components comprising on-campus hygiene, which carried 85 per cent grading, and activities outside the campus, which carried the remaining 15 per cent. This is the lone private sector institute to have bagged this honour, though two more private universities from the state had also been shortlisted.

Campus hygiene included the availability of toilets in hostels, academic building condition, toilet condition and maintenance, running water facility, garbage clearance on campus, in addition to the frequency and disposal system of garbage, greenery and campus accessibility, etc.

The university was also examined for innovative technologies put in place for solid and liquid waste management, hostel and kitchen hygiene, apparel of staff, the extent of mechanisation of food preparation, availability of cooking gas, chimneys, water storage and pipeline systems, quality of drinking water and green cover on the campus.

“Chitkara University has a paper recycling plant, where papers, folders, envelopes and carry bags are produced for on-campus usage. Hydroponic farming is also undertaken on the campus based on the nutrient film technique, thus producing vegetables and fruits for consumption within the campus. Infrastructure design of the university supports natural air-conditioning, energy absorbent buildings in terms of light and air efficiency to avoid air-conditioners. The university was also acknowledged for 100 per cent waste water recycling by dual plumbing, effective and effluent treatment plant on the campus,” informed Registrar Virender Kanwar. An effective rainwater harvesting system, use of solar energy and other such environment-friendly initiatives are also being taken in the institute.

University Chancellor Ashok Chitkara and Pro-Chancellor Madhu Chitkara, while terming it as an encouraging step, said,” We are proud of being recognised by the government, who has bestowed the university with the Swachhta award for our inclination towards the Swachh Bharat Mission.”