Education Ministry Seeks Explanation From JNU VC For Skipping Key Conference Without Approval
The Ministry of Education has sought a written explanation from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit over her absence from a key conference of Central University heads, sources told PTI.
Officials noted that Pandit did not attend the Vice-Chancellors' conference without obtaining prior approval from the Ministry. Her absence was flagged as a serious matter.
There has been no official response from the JNU Vice-Chancellor on the issue so far.
'Her absence was viewed seriously. In such circumstances, Vice-Chancellors are required to take prior approval. There was a conference at JNU coinciding with the Vice-Chancellors' conference. But it should have been kept in mind that the invite for this conference was extended much in advance," a source said.
While the Ministry's conference was scheduled for July 10–11 in Kevadia, Gujarat, JNU was hosting its own three-day conference on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) from July 10 to 12, which former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated.
Key discussions at the event focused on assessing how Central Universities are aligning with the NEP's next-phase objectives, fostering dialogue on institutional innovations and challenges, and preparing universities for upcoming policy milestones, regulatory shifts, and the evolving global academic landscape leading up to 2047.
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