VICE-CHANCELLOR PROF. SUDHIR K JAIN EXHORTS FACULTY MEMBERS TO BE PARTNERS OF CHANGE IN BHU
VARANASI : We are here for students and students and their holistic development should be our top priority. This was Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir K Jain’s mantra to the Faculty members of Banaras Hindu University, as he interacted with them to share his vision and mission about BHU. The Vice-Chancellor called upon teachers to be his partners in change and taking the university forward. “You are the backbone of Banaras Hindu University. You have the sacred duty of developing aspirations in your students, build their capabilities and ensuring that they pass out as good human beings, sensitive and considerate towards others, the society and the country”, said Prof. Jain at the fully packed Swatantrata Bhawan on Thursday. It was his first such interaction with faculty members since his joining as 28th Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University in January 2022.
Invoking the founder of BHU, Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya, the Vice-Chancellor urged the BHU teaching fraternity to work towards realizing the vision of the great educationist by practicing what he would have wanted us to do, and not merely remembering his life and principles. “What we see in National Education Policy 2020 today, can be traced back to 105 years ago, what Mahamana had envisioned. He wished BHU to produce good human beings and not just subject experts. We need to ask ourselves, are we doing enough to achieve that?” said Prof. Jain.
He said there are three key things for any educational institution to flourish and grow. Bringing good talent, providing them resources to grow and build a work culture which encourages and motivates them to strive, he explained. He stressed on building mutual trust and respect among the BHU fraternity. The Vice-Chancellor said that he is always there to facilitate and coordinate what faculty members are doing for the betterment of students and the university. I cannot be effective in improving the system, unless I get your full support and cooperation. Together, we can do wonders, he said.
Prof. Jain listed various measures taken by his administration to simplify things and make processes swift and responsive, so that precious time meant for research and teaching isn’t wasted in bureaucratic and administrative hassles. He said that rules may be liberalized to ensure the larger interest of students and Faculty members, but we must adhere to the rules. He highlighted various steps taken for benefiting students and faculty members under IoE scheme and said more initiatives will be brought soon.
The Vice-chancellor spoke at length about the strengths of Banaras Hindu University, be its size, the talent and potential it carries, its alumni base or the scope of trans-disciplinary research and studies. “We may have similar weaknesses and challenges to what other universities in India have, but they don’t have the strengths we enjoy. We are uniquely and distinctly placed and have an edge to grow and shine”, he added.
I, at times, see a battle between quantity and quality. Let’s put our focus on quality and impact of research, urged Prof. Jain. He said that as members of BHU fraternity we need to work hard to improve the perception about Banaras Hindu University. By building and strengthening the trust between students and teachers, we can really bring about change, he added.
Prof. Sudhir K Jain exhorted members of the teaching fraternity to spend more time with students and work for building their life skills, and leadership qualities. He assured that more efforts will be taken to improve facilities for students and scholars in Faculties, Library and Hostels, be it better eating joints, measure for safety of girls, reading facilities for girl students in their hostels, sporting facilities and clean & better toilets among others.
The vice-chancellor concluded by saying that an educational institution cannot grow if its students, teachers and staff are not happy. Hence, we must make sure that members of BHU fraternity work with least hassles.
The Program was conducted by Prof. Padmini Ravindranath of Mahila Mahavidyalaya. Prof. Rakesh Raman, Department of Economics, and Dr. Ashutosh Kumar, Department of History, conducted the interactive session. Rector Prof V. K. Shukla delivered the welcome address and presented a brief description of Prof. Sudhir K Jain’s life journey. Registrar Prof. A. K. Singh conveyed the vote of thanks.