It's time to synergise our academic strength

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">Professor Gopal Krishna Chadha, vice-chancellor of one of Asia''s leading universities, JNU, has ‘lived’ economics for the past 37 years. From a modest one-room beginning near JNU 29 years ago to the sprawling V-C''s bungalow has been an eventful journey. Still going strong at 64, Chadha wants to contribute the best he can for JNU as its VC, he tells <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Times City.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What has been the impact of JNU as a model university?</span><br /><br />JNU is the envy of many Indian universities.The credit for this goes to its students and faculty. Students are our brand ambassadors. Their conduct in every walks of life across the country inspire many and encourage them to come to JNU. Our practices and processes are ideal, transparent and in keeping with the best intellectual traditions.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Can you give some examples?</span><br /><br />The very character of the university itself is a symbol of excellence. Our admission process is 100% foolproof, transparent and there are no systems of quota and manoeuvring unlike in many universities. We''ve been attracting students from across the globe and there are about 300 students from developed and developing countries. We''ve raised our standards to global levels and today we have 65 collaborations with institutions abroad.<br /><br />The process of faculty recruitment is also of best standards. Various checks and balances have been weaved into the system to ensure best talents are taken in. We have a ruthless and transparent recruitment system which upholds the integrity of the university. Then, students and teachers play a big role in the functioning of the university. There are committees involving students. That''s a very bold attempt to democratise the functioning of the university. There is a Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GCASH), which is a novel endeavour at ensuring discipline on a democratic campus like ours. We don''t spare even our teachers when it comes to indiscipline. All this makes JNU a unique institution of learning.<br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">How do you look at Delhi as the powerhouse of education? What are your recommendations for improving the</span> <span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">infrastructure/ facilities?</span><br /><br />The city is certainly a powerhouse of education with 7 universities, AIIMS, IIT and a host of bodies like Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). In order to synergise the strengths, we should first have electronic connectivity between all institutions. There should be a provision of inter-institution transport so that students can benefit from various libraries. Simultaneously, we should also facilitate inter-library and inter-laboratory connectivity.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What is the status of social science research? Do you think there is a decline in the quality of research at JNU?</span><br /><br />Social science research today is as important as research in sciences. Scientists cannot live in vacuum and they have to relate to the problems in contemporary world. Those who try to prove the supremacy of science keep a lopsided, narrow political vision. We at JNU give equal emphasis to both. </div> </div>