Vice-Chancellors discuss new vision for higher education, research & pedagogy in Patiala

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 4

Vice-Chancellors of five universities in Patiala today participated in a group discussion on the state’s new vision for higher education research and pedagogy.

Punjabi University, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University, Chitkara University and the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, held a discussion on new vision for higher education research and pedagogy.

RGNUL Vice-Chancellor GS Bajpai discussed the need to balance accessible higher education with aspirations of educational excellence. He emphasised on holistic combination of research and said, “Higher Education is entirely punctuated by classroom teaching with little focus on research”, and highlighted inadequacy of funds for research and absence of capacity to research. He said, “Refresher courses and faculty development programmes are not facilitating the development of competencies”, and underlined the importance of infusing critical thinking abilities.

Prof Arvind, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, discussed the mandate to teach, research and engage in pursuit of eminence. He said academic programmes should be redesigned for the need of a student-centric curriculum. “Multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary initiatives not only enhance the skills of learners, but also connect them with cultures. In research, quality matters over quantity,” he remarked.

Lt Gen Jagbir Singh Cheema, Vice-Chancellor, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, discussed the trends in the sports industry and job avenues available to students. He apprised the audience about the state training centre available in the university for sportspersons.

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