» Tell us something about yourself and your association with Delhi University.

I am a mathematician by training and profession as well. I have done my BA (H) and MA in Mathematics from St. Stephen’s College and PhD. from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, England. I came back and taught at University of Delhi, first at St. Stephen’s College.

I have been away for different periods of time when I was faculty at IIT-Delhi. I was visiting scientist at Indian Statistical Institute. I have visited abroad at different universities. Otherwise, I have been based at the University of Delhi. I was in the department of mathematics. That is very brief about me.

My association with Delhi University: I started my career as a lecturer on route became reader and professor. After that I was elevated to head of the department of mathematics. Then, I moved to South campus as a director. I have been serving as the director of the South Campus for the last four year. That is my association with Delhi University.

» In a recent survey of top 100 Asian Universities, only six from India including DU have been listed in the ranking. Where exactly do you feel, we are lacking.

To my mind, the single most important factors that is responsible for our low rankings is the quality of our faculty. Unless Indian universities are able to attract and recruit faculty that can match global standards, we shall have problems raising our rankings. Of course, I am not implying that we do not have role, some distinguished faculty but in general, the quality tends to be uneven. Once the faculty is mostly of a very high standard, many other factors will automatically be taken care of. In addition, some of our universities are unable to compete because of the large numbers of students and inadequate support facilities including infrastructure.

» Your views on our new HRD Minister, Kapil Sibal’s, 100 Days plan to reform the educational system of India.

I have been out of India for the last few days. I have just come back. I follow the things a little bit. I am trying to get acquainted. However, I do know Mr. Kapil Sibal’s mind a little bit. I think he has a very clear mind on what needs to be done, he also has extreme clarity and understands things in good logical order how to take them forward, so I expect good things will happen very soon that is my expectation.

» Do you favour the opinion to do away with regulatory bodies like the UGC and AICTE and instead setup one body to look after the entire educational scenario of the country?

See, if any organization does not promote education or help in flowering to the right perspective, I don’t have any issue regarding the doing away with the organization. Apex bodies are created to simplify the complex thing. If government finds these regulatory bodies do not act properly, then they have every right to do away with such an organization.

» The Vice-Chancellor’s announcement to introduce semester system at DU has received a lot of flak from the teaching community. Your views on this.

Introduction of semester system at the University of Delhi will be good step. Semester system provides a greater flexibility to students to learn more than one subject. Education should not be one dimensional because it limits your voyage to an extent.
 
We have 80 odd colleges, so many departments. So, we have to bring some good practices in to make our education system flourish like the kites in the air. The Vice-Chancellor is very keen on that. Introduction of semester system at the University of Delhi is really a welcome step. I personally notice semester system is followed all over the World. In India, look at IITs, other engineering colleges and even so many colleges of Delhi University follow the semester system for their some courses.

» This year CATE has been introduced at DU for admission to English (H) at 12 colleges of the varsity. Do you feel this patern be followed for all courses at DU?

I would urge that wherever there is a discipline or a course, where colleges are admitting students through a written examination,, let there be a combined test. This can ensure a uniform standard and more importantly it reduces the burden on students who will otherwise have to run from college to college. However, we must ask ourselves this question: Why do we need to take a written test at all? Maybe we should try and ensure that the school leaving examination process is reformed.

» What special steps are being taken at Delhi University this year to curb down ragging on campus and in hostels?

As far as ragging is concerned, DU is doing better to prevent ragging on campus and hostels. All colleges have been instructed to curb ragging inside the campus. Most colleges are very well equipped to prevent ragging. The Dean of Students Welfare has taken preventive steps in consultation with colleges to curb the ragging at DU..


» What effect has the Commonwealth Games laid on Delhi University? How will the University contribute to the all important games?

It will be fruitful to the entire member of Delhi University. Students will get chances to watch sport activities very closely at large scale. They will inspired by sports person. Our sports standard will go up. We will have high standard of sports facilities. It will also be beneficial for other institutions to access high standard of sports quality.

» Any advice for students joining DU this year

Firstly, my advice is to have fun, do not take yourself too seriously. Take advantage of all the good things in campus wherever you are, these will include good teaching, courses, bright fellow students with whom you can interact and learn good activities inside and outside. Enjoy all these things to find yourself, because it is very important to know yourself to achieve success in your life.

In my concluding words, I would like to say that students of our university are good they make us feel proud.