Latest news with #LucknowUniversity
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Alok Kumar Rai to assume charge as IIM-Calcutta's director on July 30
Dr Alok Kumar Rai will take charge as director of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta on July 30 at 12:30 PM. Rai was previously the vice chancellor of the University of Lucknow. Before Rai, professor Saibal Chattopadhyay was the director of the Institute. The IIM-Calcutta did not have a regular full-term director for nearly two years. The appointment of a full-time director comes in the wake of the arrest of a second-year student in a rape case. Before becoming the Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University, Rai was a management professor at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). He also held several positions on various high-level committees and panels. Under Rai's leadership, Lucknow University became the first university in Uttar Pradesh to receive an A++ grade accreditation from NAAC. Additionally, it was granted Category-I status by the UGC and ranked among the top 100 institutions in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), achieving 32nd place among State Public Universities. Additionally, the IIM Calcutta and ed-tech platform Imarticus Learning have announced the launch of an executive programme in Private Equity and Venture Capital. The course is designed for finance professionals and entrepreneurs. The seven-month live online programme will blend academic theory with real-world insights from IIM Calcutta's finance faculty and seasoned private equity and venture capital veterans. This course will help finance professionals and entrepreneurs navigate the changing investment landscape. The programme will have core and advanced topics, including deal sourcing, valuation, financial modelling, fundraising, portfolio management, and exit strategies. Keeping pace with the evolving trends, the curriculum will cover the entire investment cycle with digital and regulatory aspects, stated the press release.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
LU 1st university in country to start 1-yr PG course under NEP
Lucknow: The Lucknow University has become the first university in India to fully implement a one-year postgraduate programme under the National Education Policy. Tailored for students who have completed a four-year UG degree with research, the programme is divided into two semesters and includes 20 academic credits. Its structure emphasises flexibility, interdisciplinarity and outcome-based learning, in alignment with NEP's vision for holistic and efficient higher education, officials said. The decision to implement this programme was formally confirmed during the executive council meeting on Saturday, following a year-long academic and administrative preparation. While the ordinance for the one-year PG structure was approved in Aug 2024, it took a year to complete the development of the academic framework, course design and departmental readiness. The university is now ready to admit students to this new programme. To support learners under this model, several academic schemes have been introduced. Under the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS), students can choose from a wide range of core, elective and open courses, enabling them to shape their academic journey according to their goals. The curriculum also encourages interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to select subjects beyond their primary field of study. Credit transfer flexibility enables students to complete part of their coursework through national platforms like SWAYAM or other UGC-recognised institutions. The programme offers skill-based and value-added courses such as academic writing, data analysis, entrepreneurship and foreign languages. Dedicated faculty mentors will guide students in course selection, research planning and academic development, officials said. This course not only provides a faster and research driven alternative to the traditional two-year model but also aligns well with international standards, supporting students aiming to pursue higher education abroad or enter the global job market, officials said. "This one-year PG programme is a landmark step in implementing the true spirit of NEP 2020," said LU spokesperson Durgesh Srivastava.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Himachal polyandry: 1 bride, 2 grooms, but how do intimate relations play out in this marriage?
The ancient tradition of polyandry, where a woman marries multiple men, preferably brothers, still exists in parts of Himachal Pradesh. Primarily practised to avoid property division among brothers, the Hatti tribe in the state continues 'Jodidara' to this day. Bride Sunita Chauhan with grooms Pradeep and Kapil Negi during their traditional polyandrous wedding ceremony in Himachal Pradesh's Shillai village, attended by members of the Hatti tribe.(X/@BalbirKumar23) The spotlight recently returned to this tradition earlier this month, after two brothers from Shillai village of Sirmaur district married the same woman in accordance with tribal customs. Sunita Chauhan, who recently married brothers Pradeep and Kapil Negi, said they are proud of the tradition, that the marriage was a joint decision, and that they were under no pressure. The tradition of 'Jodidara' is recognised under Himachal Pradesh's revenue laws and finds space under sections 494 and 495 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deal with marital relationships. However, for the unsuspecting, the mere mention of sharing a wife brings up a sea of queries. Fortunately, former chief minister YS Parmar wrote his PhD thesis on the same century-old tradition. Also Read | 1 wife, 2 brothers as husbands in this Himachal wedding: What's the rare tradition and why is it practised? His thesis titled – Polyandry in Himalayas: Socio-economic background of Himalayan Polyandry at Lucknow University – extensively studied the practice. How time is shared among husbands In his research, Parmar explains that in fraternal polyandry, the wife has the autonomy to decide how time is distributed among the husbands. According to Live Hindustan, which cited Parmar, the wife must provide equal love and time to all brothers to prevent jealousy. On page 91 of his book, Parmar describes how sometimes a cap or shoe is placed outside the room to indicate that the wife is with a particular husband, though this assumes the household has more than one room, which is not always the case in poorer families. Also Read | Woman marries 2 brothers in Himachal to keep alive rare tradition: 'Proud of our history' "In most cases, the wife sleeps with all her husbands in the same room... she decides, according to her own wish, which husband to be with that night. However, she performs her duties with each brother in turn. Typically, equal time is given to all husbands. Complaints rarely arise," Parmar notes in his book, as reported by Live Hindustan. Beyond intimacy, the wife typically manages the household, including the kitchen, cattle fodder, and farm work. If the workload is too much, she may request that another woman join the household, who then becomes wife to all brothers as well. Economic, cultural, and emotional reasons behind 'Jodidara' Members of the Hatti tribe assert that polyandry helps maintain family unity and protect small landholdings. "Keeping small landholdings intact and less expense on weddings were the economics behind the tradition," said OP Sharma, former chairman of the Dr. YS Parmar Chair at Himachal Pradesh University. He added that Parmar did not encourage the practice due to concerns over women's rights. However, some people campare it to the modern 'live-in relations', a law student cited by PTI, said, 'If live-in relations are accepted, then why is there an issue with age-old traditions? There are 15-20 families in my village Koti (Sirmaur district) where a woman is married to more than one man and we want the tradition to continue.' "Relations stay healthy in the family and land stays intact in joint marriage," said Balma Devi. Another community member, Sant Ram, added: 'Polyandry is an old tradition in which brotherhood remains and expenses are handled adequately. We four brothers are married to two women.' Himachal's Hatti tribes The Hatti tribe, a close-knit community on the Himachal-Uttarakhand border, was granted Scheduled Tribe status three years ago. Community leaders believe their recognition stems in part from adherence to traditional practices like polyandry. "We have got tribal status due to such old traditional practices which also find mention in revenue records. Polyandry is prevalent in about 150 villages in the Trans Giri area of Sirmaur district," said Ramesh Singta, spokesperson of Hatti Vikas Manch, reported PTI. Though such marriages are now increasingly conducted quietly, they are still accepted by many in the community, village elders say.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Prof Manuka Khanna takes charge as acting VC of LU
Professor Manuka Khanna, pro vice-chancellor of Lucknow University, has taken charge as the acting vice-chancellor of the university. She succeeds Prof Alok Kumar Rai, who was appointed director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta earlier this month. Acting VC Prof Manuka Khanna with outgoing VC Prof Alok Kumar Rai. (HT Photo) Following Prof Rai's appointment, the university has already invited applications for the post of regular vice-chancellor. According to a letter issued by Raj Bhavan dated July 27: 'In consequence of Prof Alok Kumar Rai being selected as director of IIM-Calcutta, a letter regarding his relieving from the post of vice-chancellor has been submitted, requesting to relieve him from the afternoon of July 27.' 'The chancellor of Lucknow University, governor Anandiben Patel, exercising powers under Section 12(10) of the Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act, 1973, appointed Prof Manuka Khanna to discharge the duties of the vice-chancellor for a term not exceeding six months or until further orders, whichever is earlier, until the appointment of a regular vice-chancellor.' The order also specifies that no additional salary or allowances will be payable to Prof Khanna in this interim role. Prof Rai will be deemed relieved of his duties as vice-chancellor from July 27 afternoon. Prof Khanna brings with her nearly 37 years of teaching experience. A graduate from Isabella Thoburn College in Lucknow in 1985, she completed her post-graduation in political science from Lucknow University in 1987, earning three gold medals. She completed her PhD from Lucknow University in 1992. She joined LU's political science department as an assistant professor in November 1990, became associate professor in 1999, and was promoted to professor in 2007. She served as the head of the department from April 13, 2021, to April 13, 2024. She was appointed dean, Recruitment and Assessment Cell, in April 2020, a post she continues to hold. She became pro vice-chancellor on May 31, 2024, and has supervised 22 PhD scholars. WOMEN POWER AT LU Vice-chancellor: Prof Manuka Khanna Finance officer: Himani Choudhary Accounts officer: Antara Banerjee Dean, academics: Geetanjali Mishra Hon. librarian: Prof Keya Pandey Director, Sanskritiki: Anchal Srivastava Director, Institute of Management Sciences: Vineeta Kachar Director, Giri Lal Institute: Prof Shalie Malik
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Days before his new ‘job', LU VC-led exec council clears key appointments, promotions
The executive council of the Lucknow University (LU) headed by outgoing vice chancellor Prof Alok Kumar Rai cleared the appointments of 21 faculty members and 17 promotions as part of Career Advancement Scheme on Saturday. This was the last executive council meeting held before Prof Rai joins the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, (IIM-C) as its director. A view of the Lucknow University. (HT file) During the executive council meeting, one assistant professor each in education, English (French), social work (contractual) and social work respectively, two assistant professors in law, three assistant professors in CS engineering, four associate professors in CS engineering, one associate professor each psychology and sociology, one professor each sociology and social work respectively were appointed. Besides, three resident medical officers (allopathy) and one resident medical officer (homeopathy) were also appointed. The executive council also cleared promotions for three faculty members of the sociology department– Pawan Kumar, Prof Pratibha Raj and Prof Pramod Kumar. Thirteen faculty members of the law department were also promoted. They are Prof Alok Kumar Yadav, Prof Anurag Kumar Srivastava, Prof Abhishek Kumar Tewari, Prof Varun Chhachar, Prof Radhey Shyam Prasad and Prof Rajeev Singh Rathi, Archana Singh, Kalindri, Richa Saxena, Ashish Kumar Srivastav, Chandra Sen Pratap Singh, Mrinalni Singh and Bhanu Pratap Singh. Besides, Vaishali Saxena of the public administration department was also promoted. One-year postgraduate programme and the detailed curriculum also received approval during the meeting. The admissions are now open for a one-year PG programme as per New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Students eligible under the NEP framework, i.e. those with a four-year undergraduate degree with research, can apply. The new programme will run alongside the university's existing two-year postgraduate courses, thereby providing opportunities for advanced study to students with a three-year undergraduate background as well. Earlier in August 2024, an ordinance related to the one-year PG structure was passed after which, the Boards of Studies of various departments prepared subject-specific courses, which were approved by the executive council.
