My aim is getting better of the best : VC
Three students of Journalism
and Mass Communication Department —Raghav Ohri, Poonam Grewal and Navdeep Dehar— interviewed
the Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Mr Swaran Singh Boparai, as a part of their exercise to report and publish the
excerpts in the department’s lab journal, Campus Times. Here are some excerpts of the interview:
? How do you conceive yourself as a Vice Chancellor?
Vice Chancellor:- As Vice-Chancellor, I have not projected myself as a superpower. I have appointed very
honest staff which can provide the best services. Moreover, being the head of the institution, I have not made myself as a
singular centre of power. Instead, I have shared the responsi- bilities with all the concerned authorities to elicit best
results.
? What are the most significant developments that the Punjabi University has
seen during the recent past?
V.C:-Punjabi University started 19 projects and majority of them have been accomplished. These
include, Gurmat Sangeet Darbaar, a Book Exhibition, Kavishari Darbaar, Dhaadi Darbaar and quite a good number of Seminars
and Conferences. Nineteen publications relating to the celebration of 400th Prakash Utsav of Guru Granth Sahib have
been published and released. I met the Prime Minister on August 23 last for getting six other works published.
?How did the noble idea of constructing Yadvindra College of Engineering gel into
your mind?
V.C:- I have always felt that the rural students cannot compete with the urban students because of lack
of facilities, funds and relatively less efficient teaching staff. In this college, the rural students, who do not belong
to affluent families will be fully funded so that even they can realize their dreams.
As you know, admissions in colleges
and University are made on the basis of merit. The Students from the rural areas do not get the same facilities and resources
making it very difficult for them to compete with their urban counterparts. In this college, admission to the plus-one
and plus-two classes will be given to only those students who have done their matriculation from a school where annual fees
was not more than Rs 500. We got 600 applications out of which 180 students have been given admission, which includes 40 percent
girls.
All the students pursuing their engineering degrees from this college will be made to
sign a contract that after getting a job they will pay back the financial aid that they got during the course of their
study, to enable thepromising students who follow them enjoy the same privileges.
? We have heard that for accomplishing the project of Kala Bhawan some NRIs have also
extended financial aid? How did this all happen?
V.C: All those who have aided
in this project are very noble souls and they hardly required any persuasion for contributing their bit in this venture.
Once convinced, they reposed full faith in me knowing well that the funds will be spent for the right cause and purpose.
? It has been found that much of the study material is missing from the Library. What
actions are being taken to curb this menace?
V.C: First of all, the time limit for which a teacher can keep library books with him has been cut short
so that the study material becomes available to the students. It is however very shameful on the part of such students who
tear out pages from the books. I would like to request the students to give in writing the list of books which are missing
from the library so that we can procure those books for them.
? Do you plan to open an Information Bureau in Yadvindra College of Engineering too
on the pattern of Punjabi University as it has proved pretty beneficial for the visitors ?
V.C: Yes, I will surely do. This was a genuine demand, and moreover, I believe in providing a single window
service as it helps in removing many a hassle in getting the required information.
?: Punjabi University is hosting the World Punjabi Conference in December. How is
it going to benefit the students?
V.C: By way of participating in this Conference, people from different walks of life will assemble at
one place and share their words of wisdom. Moreover, by interacting with such experts, students will get some exposure which
will prove beneficial to them in more than one way.
?: No doubt, the opening of the Engineering College in the University has proved
of great help to the students but at the same time they are facing some problems, such as hostel facilities?
V.C:- The construction is in process and very soon the students will have a well-furnished hostel to live
a comfortable life.
?: What is your ultimate dream for Punjabi University?
V.C:- Since I joined this University as Vice-chancellor, I had dreamt of making it one of the best universities
in world . It is pity that proper assessments were not made while recruiting teaching staff. Selections were made either under
influence or with biased or personal motives. At present, we are choosing the best of the teaching staff.
We are not following the stringent criterion of the State Department of Higher Education which has made higher
number of marks as the sole criterion for recruiting teachers. I am of the opinion that marks solely do not represent
the personality, accomplishments and achievements of a person. To my mind, teaching skill should be the primary yardstick.
