VC calls for fillip of cluster concept

Updated on: Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The “cluster concept” announced by the Bharathidasan University to encourage faculty-resources exchange among institutions affiliated to the Bharathidasan University has had a mixed response, says the Vice Chancellor of Bharathidasan University K. Meena. In a chat with The Hindu, on the sidelines of the convocation ceremony at the A.D.M. College for Women (Autonomous) here on Monday, Dr. Meena elaborated on the underlying factors that propelled the idea and the need to take it to its logical conclusion.

The cluster approach was to facilitate sharing of teaching resources and faculty among colleges to ensure that the issue of dearth of resources in rural belts was addressed . However, as of now, the idea has been made functional only collaborating programmes among colleges.

“The concept was mooted when I was the syndicate member of the University. But, we have seen collaboration for programmes, seminars, symposiums, and conferences, and the colleges were yet to make progress in the areas of knowledge resource sharing.”

However, an attempt has been made to infuse a fillip to the idea with the University proposing to award best functioning clusters in the districts here. “We have already issued notifications to the nodal college in every district in order to award the best functioning cluster – that has shown way towards sharing of resources, infrastructure, students and faculty,” says Dr. Meena. The selection process involves proper documentation of the nature of collaboration adopted by cluster colleges.

According to the Vice Chancellor, exchange and movement of resources was confined to the workshops and symposiums, and this has to be taken to the next step.

The recently mooted Centre for University-Industry Collaboration (CUIC) was another idea that seeks to work on the placement cell. It has been proposed to focus on employability skills of the students by bridging a link with the industry. “The CUIC is an extended incubation centre for training students to match up to standards required by industry. This entails soft skills training, and other confidence building programmes such as brainstorming, debates among others.”

“Industry should come with their requirements, so that students can cope with it.” According to Dr. Meena, the industry feedback was that the ‘depth of knowledge was exceedingly positive.’ However, lack of self-confidence was the drawback in the placement scene. “Pre-placement training should be made regular feature in all colleges for undergraduates, in order for students to face placements in a ‘friendly manner'.” It is an appeal to all heads of institutions to take pre-placement training seriously, and throughout the year, the Vice Chancellor said.

VC calls for fillip of cluster concept

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