Development of PU sports among top priorities of VC

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 16

Road to retain the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy, for the third consecutive time, seems not to be easy for Panjab University (PU), amid the Covid-19 crisis and internal politics.

However, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Raj Kumar, claims to have included promotion of the university sports in his priority list.

After the death of former Director (Sports), PU, Dr Parminder Singh Ahluwalia, the charge (additional) was assigned to Prof Prashant Kumar Gautam. Soon after, objections were raised over Gautam’s appointment.

“We are going to appoint a regular Director Sports at the earliest. Sports (in PU) is high on my list of priorities. I can assure that sufficient funds will be made available for all requirements,” said the VC.

The controversy to grab the post of Director (Sports) is not new. However, it was for the first time (in the last decade) that the charge was assigned to a person from another department. In the absence of a regular Director, the charge was usually handed over to the Chairman, Physical Education Department, or Deputy Directors, who staked their claim to the post soon after Ahluwalia’s death.

Over filling other posts on a regular basis, the VC said: “Apart from two (Director Sports, Registrar) positions, there are a number of academic and administrative positions which keep on falling vacant and the selection to these posts is a routine activity and it shall be expedited.”

Online exams

On introducing new technology for conducting online exams, he said: “The challenge of conducting an online exam is a matter of concern for all. The methodology and the technology are still evolving. The Covid-19 salutation was a great shock and surprise for all of us, naturally nobody was prepared for this situation. We are confronted with this enormous challenge and making all efforts to develop a system which is reliable, credible and at the same time student friendly.”

Following Disaster Management Act

On students’ issues regarding the opening of university amid pandemic, he said: “The issue is not PU specific. Under the Disaster Management Act, one has to follow the decisions taken by the government. The impact of this pandemic is all pervasive and there is nothing so much PU specific. We shall use the lessons learnt to upgrade.” On managing to pay full salaries despite revenue shortage, he said: “There has been some shortfall in the revenues. The university also receives grants from the union and state government. So, there is no serious concern in this regard.”

Challenges in first tenure

Prof Raj Kumar said: “I have taken a number of initiatives to redefine the focus, improve the quality and functioning. The process of reform and change is continuous. In all institutions, some stakeholders do become the agents of change while others may be inert. Given the challenges and the ground work done, the impact shall be visible. The endeavour shall be to mobilise the additional resources to meet the financial constraints and to fill vacant positions both teaching and non-teaching. Streamlining the functioning of various academic and administrative bodies is my top priority. The aim shall be to strengthen the mechanisms and processes of integration, and crystallise the initiatives while making them more inclusive and skill-oriented.”

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