Friday October 26 2007 15:16 IST
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of the forerunners to achieve excellence in science and higher education, received first ranking in the country by the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India for its performance in the field of science.
BHU has achieved the status of an academic and research system, which receives significantly greater resources. At present, the BHU administration is consistently trying to build up an effective management system that creates the ethos of an academic meritocracy, generates sustained financial support with accountability and autonomy, and indulges in truly merit-based hiring and promotion policies for its academic professionals.
Some of the highlights of BHU during the last two and a half years include _administrative and academic reforms, decentralization, autonomy to institutes, human resource development, e-governance, redeployment and rationalization of support staff, research priorities and reforms (the quality of education in the university largely depends on the quality of research being carried out in it. The research priorities have already been identified and R & D projects are being submitted accordingly to different funding agencies. Collaboration with industries, universities from developed countries and other premier institutions are being encouraged.)
BHU excels in academic pursuits. Here are some of the major achievements of BHU, which excels in academic pursuits:
1. The university was ranked first in the country on the basis of publications in cited journals, quality of students produced and fellowships of National Academy of Sciences.
2. BHU ranked seventh among the top 50 Government Engineering Colleges in the country (Outlook, June 11, 2007). Its Faculty of Law was ranked 14, Institute of Medical Sciences ranked 15 among the top 25 law and medicine colleges, respectively (India Today, June 4, 2007).
3. Among three central universities in Uttar Pradesh, BHU is rated at a much higher level (Outlook, Hindi, June 25, 2007).
The Vice Chancellor of BHU also encourages ad-hoc funds. Keeping in view the developmental activities in BHU, the Government of India has raised its planned funding (Rs 14.6 crores for 2004-05, Rs 37.2 crores for 2005-06 and Rs 207.2 crores for 2006-07). The Institute of Medical Sciences, SS Hospital and Institute of Technology have been upgraded to the status of AIIMS and IIT for funding purposes by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Infrastructure
The Central Library of the university has been attached with the facility of Web of Science, creating a new e-era, for which Rs 6 crores has been sanctioned. Over 8,700 scientific research papers and magazines will be readily available on the net for the benefit of the faculty members and students of the university.
Buzz
Master and Doctoral Programme in Food Science and Technology worth Rs 30 crores have been agreed in principle by DBT, Government of India.
Faculty of Dental Science created in Institute of Medical Science, BHU.
Science Block in Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Nanoscience Technology Laboratory, Kavery (Girls) Hostel, IT Guest House, NE Railway Reservation Counter and a 33 kv power station constructed in the main campus. Construction of lecture theatre complex of IT and a trauma center started.
Creating a BHU alumni data bank is yet another landmark development.
Internet connectivity has also been provided at the South Campus, Barkachha.
Ministry of Human Resource Development has decided to link Banaras Hindu University with Super Computer at Pune. For the development of infrastructural facility required for this connectivity, a sum of Rs 12 crores has been sanctioned by the Ministry.
Future Developments
A fifty-year future master plan for a full-fledged university campus in the area almost is in its final stages. The aim is to develop a potential hub for education, research and training in the heart of the tribal belt.
A Barkachha Dialogue Document is ready. A “Conservation Centre” for conservation management, training and utilization of natural resources of Vindhyan region is underway.
The process for the development of Institute of Social Sciences, Institute of Law and Institute of Management Studies is on the anvil.
Under the expansion plan of the Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, a new 125-bed hospital will be built very soon. The faculty of Ayurveda, in collaboration with the tourism department, has planned to introduce a unique concept of ‘Medical Tourism’. The Government of Uttar Pradesh has also sanctioned a fund of Rs 3.5 crore for the establishment of an Advanced Centre of Ayurveda, combined with Yoga and Meditation.
A project proposal on ‘Jagjivan Ram Centre for Rural and Tribal Development’ worth Rs 15 crores has been submitted to Ministry of Rural Development.
US-India Educational Partnership
Professor Panjab Singh, Vice Chancellor, visited United States of America on the invitation of United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, under “International Visitor Leadership Program”.
This Programme aimed at “Strengthening the US-India Educational Partnership” was intended as a follow-up to the March 2007 visit to India by the Honorable Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of State of Public Diplomacy. The focus of the programme- “Furthering the Indo-US Relationship through Higher Education” is being implemented as a project for India’’
The IVLP
The office of the International Visitors manages and funds the International Visitor Leadership Programme(IVLP). Launched in 1940, the IVLP seeks to build mutual understanding between the US and other nations through carefully-designed professional visits to the US for current and emerging foreign leaders.
Education and Research
From session 2006-07, courses on MBA (Agribusiness), B Pharma (Ayurveda), B Ed, BP Ed, Diploma in Office Management and Business Communication and Tourism Management have been started.
In addition to above mentioned courses, MCA, MSc (Tech) in Environment Science and Technology, BCom, PG Diploma in Insurance and Risk Management, Naturotherapy and Yoga Therapy and Hospital Management have started from 2007-08.
Adhoc projects are being run at their campus. Here’s the proposal for additional infrastructure and academics
A comprehensive proposal for Rs 308 crores for the development of the BHU campus has been submitted to UGC.
A proposal worth Rs 65 crores has been submitted to Ministry of Rural Development for establishing an Institute of Rural Development.
A proposal worth Rs 125.82 crores for establishment of Institute of Biotechnology has been submitted to MHRD.
Courses
The institute offers postgraduate courses in General Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology, Food Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology and Bio-Informatics. It will also focus on research activities in these areas through its core and adjunct faculties.
A proposal on the establishment of “Jagjivan Ram Center for Rural and Tribal Development”, worth Rs 15 crores, has been submitted to the Ministry of Rural and Tribal Welfare
A proposal worth Rs 11 crores for lifting water from Khajuri dam and Ganges are ready.
The possibility of connecting the Barkachha Farm (South Campus) to Bandh Sagar through a minor is being explored. For further information contact 9415214088.