Latest news with #SangitaSrivastava
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
AU to host NAAC team today, hopes to secure ‘A' grade
1 2 Prayagraj: The University of Allahabad is all set to host the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) team on May 27 to May 29 for its second assessment visit since gaining Central status in 2005. The campus is abuzz with activity as departments finalise their preparations in hopes of securing a prestigious 'A' grade, a leap from the 'B++' grade awarded during the last assessment in 2019. This visit is seen as a significant milestone for the university, which underwent major infrastructural and academic transformations in the past five years. According to official records, approximately 360 faculty positions and around 1,100 non-teaching and administrative posts were filled during Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sangita Srivastava tenure. Infrastructural development has also taken centre stage. The university added three new hostels, an early childhood care and education centre, the Harivansh Rai Bachchan Cultural Centre, a new guest house, and several other academic buildings to improve the learning environment and accommodate growing student needs. The NAAC, an autonomous body under the University Grants Commission (UGC), assesses and accredits institutions of higher education in India. The accreditation and grading provided by NAAC are valid for five years and play a crucial role in determining the eligibility of institutions for govt grants and academic recognition. During the three-day evaluation, each department is expected to present a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation to the NAAC peer team. The presentations will include data on student placements, PhD completions, numbers of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowships (SRF), seminars and events hosted over the last five years, as well as research output such as published papers, books, and patents. Departments will also highlight lab facilities, teacher-student ratios, and information regarding vacant or filled teaching positions. In preparation for the visit, the university registrar issued a notification on May 22, mandating that no teaching or non-teaching staff member takes leave from May 26 to May 29. The notice also directed all departments, centres, and offices to complete necessary preparations by May 24. This inspection is critical for AU as it aims to secure an 'A' grade, which would not only elevate its academic standing but also open doors to increased funding and national academic collaborations. Faculty and administrators alike are hopeful that the recent strides in academic quality and infrastructure will help the institution achieve this goal.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Allahabad University to launch four-year integrated BA-BEd course for aspiring teachers
Prayagraj: In a significant development for aspiring educators, Allahabad University (AU) is set to introduce a four-year integrated BA-BEd course from the upcoming academic session. This move marks a new chapter in the university's long-standing legacy in the field of teacher education and brings good news for students who wish to pursue a BEd degree immediately after completing their intermediate new course will fall under the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP), a specialised initiative designed to offer a comprehensive four-year teacher training program. Admissions to the course will be granted based on performance in the National Common Entrance Test (NCET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).The course will be offered under the department of education at AU. Professor Dhananjay Yadav, Head of the Department, termed the approval of the course as a 'major achievement,' crediting the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava for the success. He also highlighted that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) approved an intake of 50 students for the program. Notably, AU is now among a select group of just six central universities across India authorised to run this four-year integrated BEd over eight semesters, the course offers several academic advantages. Upon successful completion, students will be directly eligible for positions such as post graduate teacher (PGT). Furthermore, they will be able to pursue an MA in their chosen major subject from the BA component, and an MEd degree can be earned within just one additional department of education has a storied history, being the first in the country to offer an MEd course as far back as 1942. According to AU's public relations officer (PRO) professor Jaya Kapoor, the ITEP is a dual-degree program designed to produce well-rounded teaching professionals. The initiative aligns with the NEP's vision, which plans to make the ITEP the minimum qualification for school teachers by forward-looking program represents a major step in teacher training and career readiness, providing students with multiple academic and professional pathways. Prayagraj: In a significant development for aspiring educators, Allahabad University (AU) is set to introduce a four-year integrated BA-BEd course from the upcoming academic session. This move marks a new chapter in the university's long-standing legacy in the field of teacher education and brings good news for students who wish to pursue a BEd degree immediately after completing their intermediate new course will fall under the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP), a specialised initiative designed to offer a comprehensive four-year teacher training program. Admissions to the course will be granted based on performance in the National Common Entrance Test (NCET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).The course will be offered under the department of education at AU. Professor Dhananjay Yadav, Head of the Department, termed the approval of the course as a 'major achievement,' crediting the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava for the success. He also highlighted that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) approved an intake of 50 students for the program. Notably, AU is now among a select group of just six central universities across India authorised to run this four-year integrated BEd over eight semesters, the course offers several academic advantages. Upon successful completion, students will be directly eligible for positions such as post graduate teacher (PGT). Furthermore, they will be able to pursue an MA in their chosen major subject from the BA component, and an MEd degree can be earned within just one additional department of education has a storied history, being the first in the country to offer an MEd course as far back as 1942. According to AU's public relations officer (PRO) professor Jaya Kapoor, the ITEP is a dual-degree program designed to produce well-rounded teaching professionals. The initiative aligns with the NEP's vision, which plans to make the ITEP the minimum qualification for school teachers by forward-looking program represents a major step in teacher training and career readiness, providing students with multiple academic and professional pathways.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Universities must nurture ideas, innovation to compete globally, says Allahabad University VC Prof Sangita Srivastava
1 2 Regarded as one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of the country, Allahabad University has been occupying an esteemed place among the universities of India for over a century. Despite its glorious past, the institution had its share of problems and phases of academic decline. In such testing times, the institution's leadership rose up to the occasion to reclaim glory. Prof Sangita Srivastava, the current vice-chancellor of Allahabad University, has been one such leader who embarked on a remarkable journey of taking the university from academic decline to educational excellence. In an exclusive conversation with Rajeev Mani , Prof Srivastava, spoke about the reforms she introduced first as a faculty member and now as its leader, the resistance she faced, and her vision for a future where the university becomes a model of both academic excellence and social responsibility. Excerpts: You've been a part of this university for decades. What inspired the sweeping reforms you initiated as vice-chancellor? When I took over, the university had lost spark. There was stagnation in all respects, be it academically, financially, or administratively. Having been a part of the system, I knew the problems. One of the most pressing issues was the shortage of faculty. For almost 30 years, appointments hadn't taken place properly. A few departments had just 3-4 permanent teachers. Guest faculty were shouldering the burden which was not sustainable. What was your first major step towards addressing the problems? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How To Write Faster for Work (Find Out Now) Grammarly Learn More Undo My priority was to restart faculty recruitment. We began constituting selection committees but as soon as the process gathered momentum, Covid-19 pandemic hit. The pandemic posed a significant hurdle, but my resolve remained unshaken. We resumed the recruitment process as soon as the second wave eased. Restarting a process after three decades must have come with challenges. What problems did you face? There were threats, direct as well as subtle. Politics was deeply entrenched, and many people resisted change. I reported every threat. For initial committees, we had police security. I didn't let politics derail national duty. Was that the end of the resistance? Not at all. When physical disruption failed, people turned to courts. Over the course of these reforms, the university faced around 60 court cases related to faculty appointments. My legal background proved helpful. Every evening, I sat with the legal team, built our defense on procedural correctness and won every case. Not a single selection was stayed. In three years, we appointed around 400 new teachers, including 150 senior professors. The success of the faculty recruitment process restored the academic backbone of the university and transformed its culture. There were no leaks or favoritism. Even our critics began to acknowledge the change. Did reforms lead to the introduction of new academic initiatives? Yes. One initiative close to my heart was the establishment of the environment science department. It was discussed for 25 years but no action was taken. I reallocated existing posts and appointed a team. The department is making its mark with unique initiatives. QR codes have been placed beside every plant in the science faculty. Scan it, and you learn something. It's a small but meaningful integration of technology and learning. What keeps you going in the face of pressure? It isn't a job but a mission. I want to leave behind not just a functioning but a flourishing university. One should speak at the right time to the right person. I believe that action speaks louder than words. What's your big goal for university? For the first time, we have established an incubation centre at AU which is aimed at promoting start-ups of the student fraternity. The project was close to my heart. Although it is a modest start, I am confident that in the coming time, there will be many investors who would be eager to invest in the start-up ideas brought forward by talented students of AU. You recently rolled out multi-disciplinary courses. How has the response been? We introduced these courses with high hopes, but the response has been somewhat lukewarm. It's mainly because students still focus on competition, particularly examinations like the UPSC Civil Services. Without strong industry focus or creative outlets, many are heading towards unemployment. The pressure to memorize and compete with limited opportunities is simply not enough. What is the way forward for universities? As a nation, we are now more populous than China. Our universities are the reservoirs of knowledge, and it's time we shifted focus towards imparting skills and fostering interest in sports and creative pursuits. The old rote learning system will not prepare students for future challenges. We need to nurture new business ideas, creativity, and innovation, which will help our youth compete globally. Countries like Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan have shown us how education can drive national progress. With the right policies, we can achieve success. Filling teaching and non-teaching vacancies was one of the biggest challenges and one of our proudest accomplishments. Today, our laboratories are operational, renovated, and staffed. All departments have full-time teachers. As the first woman vice-chancellor of AU, did you face challenges in being accepted as a leader? Yes. But I always thrive on challenges as they push you to think strategically. I identified the root causes of issues on campus and worked to resolve them. Bringing peace and discipline to the campus was a crucial step in fostering an academic environment. Once we eliminated disruptions, creativity, art, and culture began to flourish. How has your experience as VC enriched you personally and professionally? My role brought additional responsibilities, especially with the appointment of new faculty and the required infrastructure changes. We worked on modernising classrooms, making spaces inviting, and transitioning to a digital system. I am proud to have created a motivated and happy campus environment. When students, faculty, and staff are happy, they excel. I believe this is the key to success. The support I have received, especially in terms of CSR contributions, has also helped build modern infrastructure like the Ishwar Tope building with state-of-the-art facilities. How is the university aligning itself with NEP? When I took charge, NEP had just been introduced. There was excitement but no clear guidance on implementation. I read through the policy and realized that we couldn't begin until we had the necessary human resources and infrastructure in place. With a solid foundation in place, the university is ready to introduce four-year honours courses that emphasise practical, skill-based learning. The old system was too theory-heavy, based on memorisation. NEP flips that as it is all about real-world skills, and that's what we are focusing on. What kind of courses are you introducing under this new skill-based vision? We are emphasising performing arts and fine arts, areas that have traditionally been overlooked. Our fine arts and music departments are now full, with every instrument accounted for and every seat taken. This shift aligns with the PM's vision of creating employable graduates equipped with practical skills rather than relying on govt jobs. If students are trained in something practical, they can chart their own paths. How are students responding to the shift towards skill-based education? It's been a challenge, particularly with the mindset. A significant portion of our students, especially from the humanities who are aiming for the IAS. This is an admirable ambition, but we must consider what happens if those dreams don't come true? This realisation was the catalyst for my drive to integrate skill development into every course, ensuring that even if the primary career goal doesn't materialise, students are equipped with something practical to fall back on. Our students should have more than just a degree. They should have skill, passion, or even a business idea. How are you preparing for the four-year undergraduate structure? We are preparing for a four-year undergraduate model which we are rolling out this academic session (2025-26). We have formed a steering committee, and our teachers are revising the curriculum. The new courses will be rolled out once they are approved by the Academic Council. How do you ensure quality and accountability in teaching with new faculty? We have hired well-qualified teachers from across the country. To ensure they meet our expectations, I have introduced a robust feedback mechanism. Students can now submit feedback through an online form, allowing the administration to track faculty performance and maintain standards of teaching. How do you see the university's role in shaping the nation's future? Education is far more than knowledge transfer. It is about cultivating a mindset. What we build here will reflect in the India of tomorrow. I have traveled to various countries and found that the disciplined approach to education and social values makes them what they are today. These countries have progressed rapidly, while we lag. Our institutions have not imparted the kind of discipline, civic sense, or motivation that other countries have prioritised. NEP provides an opportunity to bridge this gap. What message would you like to give to AU students? Don't forget your responsibility. You're not just here to learn for a degree but also to shape the future of this country. That's a responsibility we must take seriously. I can say that the university is reborn, and so am I.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Time of India
Teachers' scuffle: AU VC to decide punishment
Prayagraj: The Executive Council (EC) of Allahabad University has recommended punitive action against the two faculty of the English and European Languages department who were involved in a scuffle on the campus. The EC has left it to vice-chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava to decide the nature of punishment. The scuffle between the two teachers — the then English HoD Prof Shushil Kumar Sharma and associate professor Kumar Parag — took place in Prof Sharma's chamber on March 25 and both suffered injuries. Thereafter, a probe committee was constituted by the university authorities. The committee's report was placed in the EC meeting held on Wednesday. The EC unanimously recommended the penalty of censure against the two teachers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Lost Their Money - Learn From Their Lesson Expertinspector Click Here Undo A press release of AU said: "A high-level inquiry committee was formed to look into the matter. After due deliberations and interrogation, the committee submitted its report and the same was presented in the EC meeting. The EC unanimously censured the behaviour of both the parties. The penalty of censure has been recommended for both the faculty members and the nature of punishment is to be decided by the VC. However, withdrawal for 5 years from all administrative responsibilities has been strongly recommended by the house and any further punishment to be given was left to the discretion of the VC." tnn
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
AU suspends CRET, adopts UGC NET for PhD admissions
Prayagraj: In a significant policy shift, the Allahabad University (AU) has decided to suspend the Combined Research Entrance Test (CRET). The decision followed the University Grants Commission (UGC) notification dated March 27, 2024, regarding the revised standards and procedures for the award of PhD degrees. Instead, UGC-NET scores will now be considered for admission to doctoral programmes. However, in departments where sufficient NET-qualified candidates are not available, AU will conduct CRET to fill the vacant PhD seats, the AU stated. The decision was taken during the Executive Council (EC) meeting held on Wednesday at the AU campus. During the meeting, chaired by vice-chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava, the EC addressed disciplinary issues. Acting on the recommendations of a committee constituted to examine a scuffle between the head and an associate professor of the English department of English, the council decided that both the faculty members would be barred from holding any administrative responsibilities for the next five years. "The EC unanimously censured the behaviour of both the teaching faculties," confirmed AU PRO Prof. Jaya Kapoor. Other key decisions included the approval of Prof Ashish Khare's appointment as registrar, and nod to promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) in the Psychology department. Faculty members Chandranshu Sinha, Sandeep Anand, and Sanjay Kumar were elevated from associate professor to professor. No candidates turned up for the post of internal auditor. Two newly appointed visitor's nominees—Prof Deepa Dwivedi from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, and vice-chancellor of Madhusudan Law University, Cuttack Prof Kamaljeet Singh, were formally greeted by the AU VC. AU reported that it is operating at a profit for the first time, attributed to enhanced internal resource generation through self-financed courses and improved financial management.
