Number of courses announced by HPU under its vision 2020 plan fails to take off

Updated on: Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Though Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) had announced a number of new courses under its Vision 2020 plan, duly approved by its executive council (EC), these have apparently failed to take off.

Last year, in an EC meeting, it was decided that 11 centres for research and extension as well as new academic chairs, in sync with the Vision 2020 document of HPU, would be established in a phased manner. But only three academic chairs could be made functional.

The council had decided to establish seven more academic chairs in the names of S Bhatnagar (science education and research), Sobha Singh (visual arts), J C Bose (life sciences), Baba Bhalku Ram (tourism, transport and hospitality) and Sri Aurbindo (Indian philosophy and thoughts), the Planning Commission of India and Reserve Bank of India. A host of courses in foreign languages and commercial topics were also announced.

Sources said that paucity of funds and poor infrastructure are being cited as reasons for non-start of the courses and chairs. Also due to very few admissions in Deen Dayal Upadhya chair and tribal studies course, these are likely to face closure this year, sources added.

HPU dean of studies (DS) Prof Suresh Kumar confirmed that currently only three chairs are functional in the university -- Mahatma Gandhi, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Deen Dayal Upadhaya. "The varsity plans to introduce courses and chairs under the Vision 2020 in a phased manner. Some of the courses have been started from this academic session, including fine arts, along with certain diploma and certificate courses," he said.

Some constraints are delaying the start of new courses, but HPU is committed to introduction of these programmes, keeping in view the competitive scenario, Kumar added.

Number of courses announced by HPU under its vision 2020 plan fails to take off

More Education news