| Editor |
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Sir, I congratulate you for successfully completing two years in the
office and for changing the mind set of the students and teachers. |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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I thank you for this. I could do this because of all-round co-operation I
received from all sections of the University. |
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Editor |
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What are the significant achievements of the University in the last two years? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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When I took over as the
Vice-chancellor of this University a couple of years ago, I did not think that
I would get such whole hearted co-operation from all sections, but I am happy
to note that students, teachers, university employees, colleges and the
elected bodies of the University gave me total support and co-operation . |
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As far as changes are concerned, I wanted to bring about change in the
mindset of students and teachers as I wish them to acquire greater
competence and gain self confidence. We could firmly stand on our
feet and compete with the best in the country. I think I have
succeeded in doing this. |
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I introduced changes and took initiatives in four fields concerning
students, academics, administration and the society. |
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Editor |
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What are the new
initiatives that benefited the students? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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As I had said, I tried to change the mind set of the students and asked them
to acquire new skills and once this is done whole world is open to them.
Students are the harbingers of social change and that could only be brought
about with the help of science and technology. I started following things in
the University.
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We initiated many new courses
such as B. Tech., M. Tech., Micro-biology, Bio-technology, environmental
bio-technology for the students and I hope that in due course of time,
the University will be a major centre of technological education.
Many new courses were started in the field of social sciences also.
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We have introduced novel
scheme of a ‘Work On Demand’ and any student of the departments can demand
work and we will give the same to him. Our experience proved that
through this process, students are also learning practical skills.
We have ensured that no student will go back because of financial
difficulties. They have a coin in the form of labor that they can
use.
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We have started placement
cell in the University and hundreds of students of the University are
getting jobs through the cell.
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We have provided many
facilities to the students living in the hostels including fans, hot
bathing water and expanded facilities in the Girls hostel and Dr. Pawar Bhavan.
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New library and Internet
facilities, scholarships for meritorious students and other facilities
are provided to students.
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Students of NET, SET and
competitive exams are given training.
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Editor |
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And about academics? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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We have started many new courses both in the faculties of science and social
sciences and provided facilities for research. Research is the most important
function of the University. We have opened new centres and instituted some
chairs to further the cause of research. We secured the financial assistance
of Rs. 6 crores from the various funding agencies last year and this years in
the first 3 months only, we mobilized resources worth Rs. 3 crores for the
research. I think due to motivation of teachers we could achieve
such remarkable results. We have introduced departmental flexibility
to departments and various departments of the University are making new
experiments. In the academics we have
achieved good success in the fields of teaching, research and extension. But
we have to further deepen the activities, we should try to create new research
culture. We have signed many MOUs with International Universities and opened
new avenue of progress for both teachers and students. It is first time that
the University has become global ! |
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Editor |
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In administration many changes are visible. |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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In administration we have introduced many changes and the changes are
slowly accepted by all sections of the society. Following are some
of the important changes introduced.
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Departmental autonomy and
flexibility is given to various departments of the University.
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We are introducing the
concept of paperless administration because I believe that with the
continuous use of technology, we shall be able to improve the system.
Computerization of administration is going on in full swing. Many
functions of finance and accounts sections are computerized including
issuing of cheques.
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We have introduced many
changes in examination system as admissions after the entrance
examinations are computerized. We are trying to reduce the margins
of error in the assessment of papers and we have done it successfully.
We are receiving on line applications. Even sending of
applications for getting degrees in Convocation is done on line.
All programs of the examinations will be prepared in advance and the
examiners will be informed about their appointment in advance.
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In the field of construction
and water conservation, we have started new programs. We are
renovating buildings of different science departments with a budgetary
provision of Rs. 6 Crores. The campus is now self-sufficient as
far as water conservation and water supply is concerned. We have
constructed a small tank as well as bunds to conserve water.
Different programs of campus improvement are continued.
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Society : It is the duty of
the University to serve the society in various capacities.
Following are important points.
The University sought to
serve society through its extension activities and I think our University may
stand first in the state as far as a wide variety of extension work is
concerned. It is done through Lok Vikas Kendra, Adult and Continuing
Education, Centres of Women’s Studies, Gandhian Studies and Ambedkar Studies,
MOU with Central Leather institute of Chennai regarding assistance to leather
workers and footwear workers is widely appreciated. Various lecture series,
Seminars, workshops and other short term courses helped the society. Through
its scholarship scheme, the University is paying back to the society.
Our research activities
should benefit the society as we are interested in refertilization of
salienated agricultural land in the sate with the help of tracer technique. |
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| Editor |
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It is some times said that
the disciplines of social sciences and languages are being neglected. Is it
true? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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I do not think that we are
neglecting social sciences because I believe that all braches of knowledge are
ultimately inter related. We have strengthened centre of Gandhian and Women
studies, started centre of Ambedkar studies and instituted Maratha history
centre and Bhagvan Mahaveer Chair. We have started P.G. Courses in Management
and Mass Communication as well as bridge courses in economics, and Diploma
Courses in Human Rights, Rural Development and Tourism. Departments of
Economics and Sociology secured SAP programs of UGC. Thus most of the
departments of social sciences are doing some new things. I insist that students in
the social sciences departments should welcome new technologies, encourage
innovations, acquire new skills and secure good knowledge of English so that
they could do well in their lives. I want them to be professional and secure
jobs. |
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Editor |
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Are you satisfied with
what you had achieved in that last two years? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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I am satisfied in the sense
that we had achieved certain important things. But my expectations are high
and I humbly feel that we are not in a position to acquire the type of
momentum that we should have acquired. |
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Editor |
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What are the difficulties
in doing so? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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There are many difficulties.
The first difficulty is lack of adequate infrastructure in the campus which
could uphold onward mach of the University. Secondly, there is no recruitment
of teachers as almost half of teaching posts of the University departments
remain vacant. Thirdly, there is resistance to the change in the University
establishment and there is lack of adequate response from the students.
Students should get highly motivated and give adequate response. We have to
change our mindset, change according to time and imbibe basic principles of
devotion to duty, punctuality and sense of responsibility. |
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Editor |
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Sir, what are your future
programs? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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My dreams are very high
because I want this University to bring together students from rural and urban
areas. I want to have interface of Science, Technology and Social Sciences
and I want to pursue excellence in all the areas of our activity. There is no
doubt that I want to strengthen existing infrastructure and departments as I
want them to continuously improve their capacities. I have four important
priorities –
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I want to firmly establish
our new B. Tech., and M. Tech., courses on solid foundations so that
students will benefit from them.
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I would like to strengthen
Distance Education Program and towards that end we have signed MOU
with Indira Gandhi National Open University. We shall introduce IT
courses in distance education mode.
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I would like to overhaul
examination system with the help of new technologies. We may
introduce on line examination and we could start the policy of
“Examination whenever a student demands it.”
We could introduce ‘virtual class room’ programs with help of new
technologies.
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I would like to help backward
classes, backward castes and women to secure higher education and for
that purpose, I am ready to give them all facilities so that they can
progress because I want to promote the cause of social justice.
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| Editor |
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Sir, our last question – Do
you think that our University will be able to compete with Private
Universities or Foreign Universities? |
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| Dr. Salunkhe |
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Yes, I think we shall be able
to withstand their onslaught because we are changing fast. We have students
and teachers with tremendous potential. Thus, our strength is our human
resources and at most efficiency. Our education will be comparatively cheeper.
We have developed departments of Social Sciences and Languages and private and
foreign universities may not have that facility. We are transparent and our
authenticity and impartiality can not be challenged. |
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| Editor |
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We are extremely thankful to
you for giving us the interview. Wish you all the best ! ! ! |
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Dr. Salunkhe |
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Thank You ! |
