‘Faith, values & hard work will take CDL University forward’

Prof Vijay Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, recently completed four months in office. In this free-flowing conversation with Anil Kakkar for The Tribune, he opens up about his experiences, challenges and vision to make CDLU a leading university in Haryana.

You have completed four months as VC of CDLU. How has your experience been so far?

The journey has been both challenging and rewarding. When I first came here, I honestly thought it might be very difficult to translate my dream for this university into reality. But slowly, I realised that even if 20 per cent of the people around you are committed, the 80-20 principle works. Today, that 20 per cent is my strength and their dedication is visible in results. Just a few months back, I was reading in newspapers that CDLU lacked research and that the new VC would face an uphill task. But I am happy to say that within four months, four of our scientists have been ranked among the world’s top 2 per cent researchers. This is no small achievement and it has boosted our morale.

Sirsa is often called educationally backward. Did that make your task tougher?

For me, work is work, whether it is in Sirsa or elsewhere. I never look at it as a disadvantage. If you work with honesty and good intention, God will guide you. Every time I faced a problem here, I also found a solution. That has given me confidence that we can transform CDLU step by step.

You talk about God and values, but academia usually stresses on logic. How do you balance the two?

To me, faith and logic are not opposites. Values given by our parents, teachers and the society in which we grow up become our guiding light. Faith is like a lamp in the dark; it gives you direction when the path seems uncertain. Even in universities, values are the foundation. Without those, there is confusion, conflict and negativity. With those, there is harmony, discipline and a sense of purpose.

Salaries have been a big issue here. How are you addressing financial challenges?

When I joined on May 26, the university was in a deep financial crisis. Salaries were pending for three to four months, which was very demotivating. Today, the delay has been reduced to just one month. By November, we plan to clear the backlog, and from December onwards, our goal is to ensure timely salaries. The state government is supporting us, but we also need to generate our own resources.

What new avenues are you exploring for funds beyond government grants?

We have begun tapping Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Recently, our Centre for Indian Knowledge System received Rs 21 lakh under CSR. The Ministry of Food Processing has recommended Rs 3.5 crore for an incubation centre. Our community radio has been renovated, which will also generate revenue in the future. We are improving our ranking so that international students and funds come in. We plan to encourage student start-ups, promote the ‘Earn while you learn’ scheme, run self-financed courses, sign MoUs and ensure no seat is left vacant. Sports facilities and food units can be developed on the PPP model. My vision is clear: CDLU must stand on its own financially.

There are allegations of backdoor recruitment and favouritism in state universities. How do you respond?

I can only say that everything at CDLU is transparent. We are engaging eligible students with NET or PhD as resource persons through rolling advertisements. These are temporary measures to handle increased admissions. My only concern is quality education for students. Allegations don’t bother me because I know my goal — to take CDLU to new heights.

How are you preparing students for the skill-driven world under the New Education Policy?

Skills are the future. Degrees without skills are incomplete. We are establishing a School of Vocational Studies, incubation centres and new skill-based courses. I want CDLU graduates to leave this campus not only with a degree but also with the ability to start their own ventures or confidently join industry.