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Prof. R. Kumar is a new RectorII
Prof. Ramadhikari
Kumar has been appointed as Rector-II of the University. Prof. Kumar a Professor
of Russian Language in the Centre for Russian Studies, School of Language,
Literature and Culture Studies, has been in JNU since 1969.
Born on January 29,
1945 in Pirhauli Village of Begusarai district of Bihar, Prof. Ramadhikari Kumar
completed his B.Sc. Physics (Hons) in 1965, in which year he joined the
Institute of Russian Studies in New Delhi under the Ministry of Education,
Government of India. He was awarded B.A. (Hons) degree in Russian Language and
Literature at the Special Convocation of JNU held immediately after the formal
opening of the University on November 14, 1969.
Prof. Kumar has
authored five books, over a dozen research articles and contributed to books
edited by various authors. Prof. Kumar held various academic/administrative
positions in JNU such as Chief Proctor, Proctor and Provost, and has served on
various committees of the University.
I have great pleasure in welcoming our new Chancellor, Professor Yash Pal,
Hon’ble Members of Parliament and Members, and Officers, to Thirty-Fourth
meeting of the Court of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Deans/Chairpersons
Prof. Aparna Dixit has been appointed as Dean, School
of Biotechnology. We have four new Chairpersons, Prof. C.S.R. Murthy,
Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament, Prof. P.
Sahadevan, Centre for South, Central, South East Asian and South West
Pacific Studies, School of International Studies, Prof. Geetha B. Nambissan,
Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies, School of Social Sciences and
Prof. Vir Bharat Talwar, Centre of Indian Languages, School of Languages,
Literature & Culture Studies.
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New Faculty
Member
Shri Hari Madhab Ray joined as
Assistant Professor in Centre for Linguistics & Shri Ganga Sahay Meena
in Centre of Indian Languages, School of Language, Literature and Culture
Studies; Dr. Supratim Sengupta & Dr. A. Krishnamachari in School of
Information Technology and Dr. Asha Bhan Tiku in School of Life Sciences.
Dr. Archana Upadhyay joined as Associate Professor in Centre for Russian
and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies.
Administration
In Administration, Dr. Vikram Singh
has been appointed as Assistant Director (PE), Sports Office and Ms.
Tsupokyemla as Documentation Officer in School of International Studies.
Retirements
In
Administration Shri J.S. Baweja, Deputy Finance Officer; Shri O.P.
Tyagi, Administrative Officer (Desk); Smt. Usha Kansal, Section
Officer and Shri R.P. Chopra, Technical Officer retired from the services
of the University.
Excerpts from Vice-Chancellor’s
speech delivered on 14 April, 2007 during University Court Meeting
I have great pleasure in welcoming our new
Chancellor, Professor Yash Pal, Hon’ble Members of Parliament and Members, and
Officers, to Thirty-Fourth meeting of the Court of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Our Chancellor, Professor Yash Pal, who is
presiding over the Court Meeting for the first time since he assumed office a
few weeks ago, is an academician and scientist of international repute and
therefore needs no introduction to you, but as is customary, I have to do so and
therefore very brief on this count. Professor Yash Pal, a physicist by training,
was a faculty at TIFR and Punjab University and later became the Chairperson of
the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) (1984-86). He was also the
Chairperson, of the University Grants Commission (1986-91). While age has not
held him back, his consistent and steady contributions to public life and
academics in particular have been tremendous. I and my colleagues at the
University are keenly looking forward to his contributions as the Chancellor of
the University and take the institution to a newer height which is the hallmark
of this great institution named after an illustrious son of mother India and
first Prime Minister of our country.
The university received a special grant under the
Xth plan which helped us to initiate several developmental activities to enhance
the academic life of students and teachers. Under this programme, we are in the
process of creating cyber library wherein 200 computers have been already
purchased for the students, most relevant journals in the field of social
sciences, humanities and sciences, are on online subscription, all class rooms
are under renovation, internet bandwidth has been expanded and we are covering
the campus with wi-fi internet connections. We are in the process of creation of
an Advanced Instrumentation Facility for Science Schools, construction of a new
hostel, campus development, new building for the School of Physical Sciences,
lecture hall complex, language laboratories, modernization of science
laboratories, are some of the activities that have been initiated. We are in the
advanced stage of E-governance. Necessary hardware for this is already bought
and software is being finalized. Soon we shall begin training of staff on
e-governance.
I would like to share with the members of this
august body that JNU is the only University from India that has found a place in
the global ranking of universities or institutions of higher learning. I and my
colleagues are not rest content with this ranking, but making earnest efforts in
a number of ways to move up the ladder. For what we have achieved, I must,
however, congratulate the faculty, the students, the officers and staff of the
University for this distinction.
During the reporting period, the University
conducted entrance examination in 70 centres, including two overseas centres:
Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Kathmandu (Nepal). In addition, our University has been
conducting the Combined Entrance Examination on behalf of twenty-eight
universities for M.Sc. Biotechnology; nine universities for M.Sc. (Agri), M.V.Sc
(Biotech) and two universities for M.Tech (Biotech).
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On the academic front, I had mentioned in my
address in the last Court meeting that two new chairs: one in Tamil and Bengali
were proposed to be filled in. I am happy to report that these two chairs have
now been occupied by eminent scholars.
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Government Proposal to set up Bhagat Singh Chair
is under consideration
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Proposal to set up chairs in Diaspora studies and
IPR are under Government consideration
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Besides these two Indian languages, Turkish
language teacher has also joined the University with the generous support of the
Turkish Government.
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With the approval of the Academic Council and the
Executive Council, the Special Centre for Biotechnology has now become a
full-fledged School of Biotechnology.
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MPhil/Ph.D fellowship: Recently the University
Grants Commission announced a fellowship of Rs.5,000/- p.m. to Ph.D. and
Rs.3,000 p.m. to M.Phil. research scholars.
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Rajiv Gandhi fellowship: The University Grants
Commission has recently announced a fellowship programme meant for SC/ST
students at par with other Fellowships.
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MCM fellowship to all BA/ M.Phil./PhD: Prior to
UGC’s announcement of these fellowship to M.Phil/Ph.D. students and fellowships
under Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship schemes, JNU had already announced a scholarship
of Rs. 1000/- p.m. to BA and MA students and Rs.1500/- pm to M.Phil./Ph.D.
scholars,. Thus at JNU, now almost all students would be financially supported
by the University.
The faculty of the University have brought out 95
books, more then 250 chapters in edited volumes, published over 500 research
papers /articles. I am confident that with upgradation of infrastructure
facilities, the quality of publications of our faculty colleagues is bound to
further improve. Our faculty also participated in a number of seminars,
conferences and workshops and have delivered lectures within and outside the
country . About 250 research projects are successfully running during this
reporting period. I must stress that project funds considerably support our
M.Phil/Ph.D programme.
Many faculty members have been conferred with
fellowships, elected as presidents, chairpersons, etc of academic bodies.
Professor Bipan Chandra, an Emeritus Professor of the University and Chairperson
of the National Book Trust, has been conferred with the National Professorship
of the Government of India.
Professor Sankar Basu of the Centre of Russian
Studies has been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for meritorious services
towards the cause of promoting friendship and cultural relations between Russia
and India when Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia visited India last.
Professor Aditya
Mukherjee of Centre for Historical Studies is elected the Sectional President of
the Modern Indian History.
Professor
Sabyasachi Mukherjee, retired Professor of Centre for Historical Studies has
been appointed as the Chairperson of the Indian Council of Historical Research.
Professor
Mridula Mukherjee, of the Centre for Historical Studies has taken over as the
Director of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.
Professor Zoya
Hasan of the Centre for Political Studies has been appointed as Member of the
Minorities Commission by the Government of India.
Professor Suvira
Jaiswal, a retired Professor from the Centre for Historical Studies is the
elected General President of the Indian History Congress.
Professor Sanjay
Puri of School of Physical Sciences was a recipient of CSIR’s prestigious
Shanti Swarupt Bhatnagar Award in Physics. He is also elected as the Fellow of
the Indian Academy of Sciences.
Professor
Kasturi Datta of Schol of Environmental Scineces was awarded Basanti Devi-Amir
Chand Award by the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Dr. A.L.
Ramanathan of Schol of Environmental Scineces was selected for the Young
Scientists’ Award by IFS, Sweden.
Prof. Amit
Shovon Ray from School of International Studies was elected as Fellow of the
Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, UK.
Dr H.S.
Prabhakar and Professor Lalima Varma were awarded Japan Foundation Fellowship;
Professor Anwar
Alam (SIS) was awarded Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship;
Professor Anil
Bhatti from SLL&CS, was the recipient of the Officer’s Cross of the Order of
Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for contributions to Indo-German
Relations in Academics and Culture;
Professor Chaman
Lal, was recipient of Justice Sharda Charan Mitra Bhasha Setu Award;
Professor Varyam
Singh was the recipient of Nirala Smriti Sammaan;
Professor Jayati
Ghosh from SSS, was awarded Ava Maiti Memorial Prize of the Asiatic Society
Professor Anand
Kumar was awarded BMW Group Award for Inter Cultural Learning;
Dr. Minati Panda
was awarded Witkin/Okonji Award;
Professor Rakesh
Bhatnagar from School of Biotehnology was elected as Fellow of the Indian
National Academy of Sciences.
Prof. B.B.
Bhattacharya is elected as the President of Indian Economic Association. He is
also re-elected as the President of the Indian Association for Research in
National Income and Wealth. Prof. Bhattacharya is also re-appointed as Chief
Editor of Journal of Income and Wealth. Prof. Bhattacharya is awarded “Amity
Life Time Achievement Award for Academic Excellence”
The students of
our University have not been lagging far behind from their mentors. Some of the
distinctions and honours the research students got during the reporting period
are:
Deepika Fuloria
and Varalaxmi Naik from SIS: were recipients of Saburo Okita Memorial
Fellowship,
Prashant Kumar
was awarded Japan Foundation Scholarship,
Rahul Unni and
Antara Gadgil won awards at the All India Japanese Language Speech Contest,
Nisha
Parameswaran was awarded Okita Memorial Scholarship and also President’s Award
for Best student,
Chawii Lian of
SSS was awarded a scholarship tenable at Ghent University, Belgium,
Ravi Satkaimi of
CSLG was a recipient of Fulbright Scholarship
Our University
received several distinguished visitors and I would mention a few of them
Professor
Christopher Pinney, Professor Richard Schechner from Tisch, NYU,
Professor Ellen
Driscoll from Rhode Island School of Design
Professor Carlos
Montemayor from Mexico, Ambassador Alyson J.K. Bailes, Director, Stockholm Peace
Research Institute, Sweden.
Professor Yu
Xintian, President of the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, China,
Shri Shyam
Saran, then Foreign Secretary of India,
Air Com. Jasjit
Singh, former Director of Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis, to SLL&CS:
Dr. Raywat
Deonandan, a renowned Canadian writer,
Dr Kiran
Nagarkar, renowned Marathi and English author,
Mr. Auguste
Kouassi, Advisor to the President of the Ivory Coast,
Mr. Jean
Charest, Premier of Quebec, Canada,
Professor Ramon
Bassa I Martin, to SLS:
Professor
Govindjee of University of Illinois at Urbana, in SSS:
Professor P.
Balaram, Director, Indian Institute of Science delivered Krishna Bhardwaj
Memorial Lecture,
Professor N.R.
Madhava Menon, Director, National Judicial Academy
Dr. Montek Singh
Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairperson, Planning Commission delivered “Satpal Mittal
Memorial Lecture” and Eminent astrophysicist, Dr. Jayant Narlikar, Inter
University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune delivered “Nehru Memorial
Lecture”.
Students in JNU
come from diverse backgrounds and regions of the country and contribute to the
uniquely rich composite culture of the university which represents mini-India.
Residential life in a JNU hostel ensures that students coming not only from
different parts of the country but also from abroad learn to live together, grow
together as global partners and help in promotion of good will and cooperation
with each other. After dinner in hostels, discourses and debates on important
social, political and economic national and international issues make the campus
very vibrant and alive. Student committees through elected representation assist
the hostel authorities in running the hostels smoothly.
The Equal
Opportunity Office, the first of its kind in India, oversees the academic
requirements of students hailing from the weaker sections, by offering remedial
courses, etc.
University has
an unique GSCASH committee which includes members from all section of JNU
community to monitor any sexual harassment on campus.
The physically
challenged students are also looked after with care by extending financial
support for reader and special computer facilities in the Library to the to
visually challenged students;
For the welfare
of the Physically Challenged students, the University has been making consistent
efforts to make the campus disabled friendly.
Under the
University with Potential for Excellence, the University received a special
grant of Rs.30 crores from the University Grants Commission. The funds have
been utilized for several academic activities, which include:
Special
scientific equipments worth over Rs.10 crores for science schools;
Back up
emergency power for entire academic complex;
Organized over
50 Seminars/Conferences by different schools/centres
Support several
research projects.
The University
has entered into cooperation with over 80 universities and institutions of
higher learning across the globe. With globalization, a number of universities
in developed countries have shown greater interest not only in carrying out
joint research, but also sending students and research scholars to spend three
to twelve months in JNU.
The University
with the assistance of one of the faculty appointed as the Chief Advisor (Alumni
Affairs and Placement Cell), is making serious efforts to remain in touch with
the alumni now settled all over the country and abroad in order to tap them for
support for some of its activities. The University is also keen to activate the
Placement Cell, so that the passing out graduates have a viable professional
career outside the University. The NCT of Delhi’s Employment Bureau working
under the guidance of a Professor In charge helps the passing out graduates in
securing suitable employment.
I would like to
conclude by assuring the members of the Court that we are making our best
efforts to climb up to greater heights in the global rankings; JNU has lots of
potential in all subjects of its teaching and research programmes to excel more
and more than the present status and our internationally renowned faculty are
getting even greater recognition due to their research outputs. I am sure you
will all appreciate that the research university like JNU needs a different
treatment in funding and other supports compared to other conventional and
undergraduate teaching university.
I would like to
put on record, the University’s appreciation to the faculty, students, officers
and staff of this University for their sincere commitment and performance.
I would like to
thank all the members of the Court and our Chancellor for sparing time in
attending this important meeting.
Thank you.
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