Somanath is Chanakya University chancellor
Bengaluru: Former Indian Space Research Organisation (
) chairman S Somanath will take over as chancellor of Chanakya University, a private university based in Devanahalli.
Somanath will replace founder-chancellor MK Sridhar, who was part of the core committee developing National Education Policy (NEP). Sridhar will continue to be a part of the board of governors.
Chanakya University started in 2022 through a state legislature act.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Business Standard
Dr. S. Somanath Assumes Office as Chancellor of Chanakya University; Reconstituted Board of Governors Announced
India PR Distribution Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 12: Chanakya University marked a momentous occasion today as Dr. S. Somanath, Eminent Scientist and Former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), officially assumed office as the Chancellor of Chanakya University on 12th June 2025. In his inaugural address, he laid out a bold and inspiring vision for the University's future, urging the academic community to go beyond conventional benchmarks and focus on shaping the character and competence of every student. He envisioned Chanakya University as a modern-day Nalanda or Takshashila--rooted in India's civilizational values and responsive to future challenges. Highlighting a critical structural gap, Dr. Somanath called attention to the disconnect between academia and industry. He emphasized that academic research must feed into the nation's economic growth and encouraged Chanakya University to take the lead in pioneering high-impact, industry-relevant innovation. He also spoke about the need to cultivate an ecosystem that naturally attracts top talent from around the world--a space where growth, innovation, and collaboration thrive, and where students aspire to be part of a larger mission. The event was graced by Founder Chancellor Prof. M. K. Sridhar, Pro-Chancellor Sri M. P. Kumar, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yashavantha Dongre, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. H. S. Subramanya, Chief Operating Officer Sri Nagaraj Reddy, Registrar, Deans, Department Heads, Faculty, Staff, and Students--marking a transformative new chapter in the University's journey. The university also announced the reconstitution of its Board of Governors in accordance with the Chanakya University Act. Dr. Somanath will chair the newly formed Board, which includes a distinguished panel of leaders from academia and industry: - Prof. M.K. Sridhar, Padma Shri Awardee and President, Centre for Educational and Social Studies, Bengaluru - Sri M.P. Kumar, Pro Chancellor, Chanakya University, Ex-Officio -Prof. Yashavantha Dongre, Vice Chancellor, Chanakya University - Sri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, Axilor Ventures; Co-founder, Infosys - Sri T.V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital Partners - Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member, Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (UGC nominee) - Prof. B. Mahadevan, Former Professor, IIM Bangalore - Prof. Nandini N., Former Professor, Bangalore University - Sri Nagaraj Reddy, Secretary, Centre for Educational and Social Studies - Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka (Ex-Officio Member) - Prof. H.S. Subramanya, Pro Vice Chancellor, Chanakya University - Prof. Sushanth T Joshi, Registrar, Chanakya University This dynamic leadership team signals a bold new chapter for Chanakya University as it aspires to become a global hub of learning, innovation, and societal transformation--anchored in India's timeless civilisational values. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Panjab varsity results spark concern as pass rates plunge under NEP
Panjab University's (PU) release of first-semester results under the new New Education Policy (NEP) framework has triggered concerns among educators statewide, with many describing them as disappointing and chaotic. The pass percentage in several undergraduate courses has dipped sharply, raising questions about the readiness of the university, its affiliated colleges and students for the sweeping changes introduced under NEP. In the four-year BCom programme course, only 4,731 students passed out of the 10,514 who appeared in the exams. Similarly, in BSc fashion designing course, just 172 students cleared the exams out of the 317, while in BSc biotechnology (Hons), only 143 passed out of 237. So far, the university has released results for a few courses for the exams held in December 2024, with many still awaited. Educators blame the poor performance on a combination of reasons, including rushed implementation, lack of clarity, and increased academic burden. Varun Goel, a faculty member at LR DAV College, Jagraon, and executive member of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union (PCCTU), pointed out the confusion over pass criteria. 'Under NEP, students need a 40% score to pass, whereas earlier it was 33%. Since this was the first time such exams were evaluated, there was a lot of misunderstanding around this change, which affected the results.' He also highlighted that both students and teachers are still struggling to adapt to the NEP's demands. Principal Gursharanjit Singh of SCD Government College added that the number of subjects per semester has jumped from five to eight, stretching the curricular requirements of students beyond limits and pushing exam dates further, which has led to fatigue and frustration. He suggested that exams for value-added and multidisciplinary courses should be conducted at the college-level to avoid such delays. Jagwant Singh, former PU senator and part of the NEP committee, said the structural changes brought by NEP, including revised syllabi and exam patterns, have directly impacted classroom time. 'Extended exam schedules are eating into teaching days. Since the senate has been dissolved, there is no mechanism for ground-level feedback. This disconnect has made the implementation shaky,' he said, adding that the system may still take a few years to stabilise.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
844 teachers promoted in Haryana
Haryana education minister Mahipal Dhanda said on Wednesday that the state government has promoted 844 teachers, including four to the position of principal, in what is a step to further improve the standard of education in government schools. The minister said that the promotions to the rank of block education officers (BEOs) and district education officers (DEOs) will also be done soon and that teacher transfers will be started shortly. Dhanda said that 35 chemistry teachers and 18 trained graduate teachers (TGTs) have been promoted as post graduate teachers (PGTs), while one PGT each of Sanskrit and English, and two of Hindi have been promoted to the post of principal. Similarly, four commerce teachers, 207 English teachers, one of Geography, History (203), Political Science (137), Sociology (13), Sanskrit (150), Home Science (37), Hindi (35) have been promoted from TGT to PGT, said the education minister. Dhanda stated that the government has completed infrastructural development in every government school across the state, and other issues will also be resolved soon. He said that under the National Education Policy, new curricula are being developed to equip students to face challenges effectively. He said that in different phases, a transfer drive for all categories of teachers will be started soon. Dhanda said that a new Model Sanskriti School will be opened within every 10 km radius so that students can have access to improved education. The present state government envisions setting up e-libraries for students in government schools. In line with this vision, e-libraries will be established in 197 Government Model Sanskriti Schools and 250 PM SHRI schools, he said.
