High drama on PU campus as officials try to take over building

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28

High drama was witnessed on the Panjab University (PU) campus, when a team of officials reached the Centre for Nuclear Medicine to take over the building possession. On the recommendations of the PU Space Committee, the authorities decided to vacate the area allegedly in absence of the centre’s chairperson and students.

Though the chairperson remained unavailable for comments, sources said the team reached the centre with the Chandigarh Police personnel to lock rooms.

In their defence, centre officials said the available space in the building arena could not be used for other purposes following high risk of radiations and needed proper look thereafter.

“A team of officials, along with heavy security force and staff from the construction office, arrived at the Centre for Nuclear Medicine to lock the facility. Fortunately, PUTA representatives came to know about the development and immediately thwarted the nefarious move of the authorities, though after facing much resistance,” stated Punjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) in a release here today.

“The authorities bypassed the recommendations of the JAAC of the centre, for reasons best known to them. The highhandedness of the university authorities has reached new heights, throwing all the constitutional norms to the wind,” stated PUTA.

“The building of the Centre for Nuclear Medicine has an area of 25,000 square feet, which is under-utilised. There are only 10 students, who are pursuing the MSc course, and one faculty member at the centre. Many rooms in the building are vacant. The authorities are trying to use vacant space for developing incubation centre for students,” said Prof Renu Vig, DUI, PU.

“Students pursuing this course undergo practical training in the second year at the PGI, Right now, there is no MoU for training students of the next session,” said Prof Renu Vig.

“Thirteen incubate projects for funding have already been selected under RUSA. These incubates have to be given space for working on innovative ideas. However, hurdles are being created to use unutilised space of the PU, including promoting start-ups. Admission to the course has been kept in abeyance as it is run jointly with the PGI,” Prof Renu Vig added.

“In consonance with the RUSA mandate, NEP-2020 and the NAAC requirements, for setting up innovation and entrepreneurship clusters, start-ups and incubators a team of officials was sent by the authorities to ensure the proper and optimal utilisation of the huge vacant space available in the emerging area of the science in block 4, Sector 25. The team was not allowed to enter the vacant area and discharge its duty,” said Prof Sudhir Kumar, Director, Research and Development.

“The chairperson of the department concerned was already informed about this through official communication. This kind of uncalled for treatment meted out to university officials is unfortunate and adversely impact the positive, progressive development of the PU as a centre of academic and research excellence, innovation and technology development platforms,” said Prof Kumar.

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