Shimla
In view of the present Corona crisis, Himachal Pradesh University Shimla organized its 51st Foundation Day while following the issued guidelines of the State Government. The program was presided over by Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, who is also the Chancellor of University. Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj attended the function as the distinguished guest.On the occasion, Governor inaugurated the five-storey multi-faculty building- Swami Vivekanand Bhavan consisting of Geography Department, Department of Physical Education, Department of Institute of Vocational Studies and parking facility. This building has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.71 crore. While congratulating on the 51st Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh University, the Governor said that the University has set a long journey of educational development over coming many challenges. Students from this institute have earned a name at the national and international level in the fields of knowledge, science, art and technology, he added. He said that this tradition needs to be further strengthened. He said that the whole society contributes to the establishment and operation of any University and therefore, Universities should also fulfil their responsibility towards society as a whole. “ You must be active for University Social Responsibility and should participate in the upliftment of the poor people of the society, our villages and neglected people and make them aware in every way”, said the Governor.Shri Dattatraya said that knowledge has emerged as the most important capital in the world market of this century and constant changes were also taking place in the fields of knowledge, intelligence and skills. As a result of continuous new innovation, keeping your knowledge and skills constantly updated was a challenge and an opportunity, he added. "A person who is constantly learning new innovations and adopting new technology in the present pretext would be able to strongly face the challenges. Today, there are immense opportunities for a person who always develops his knowledge, skills and intelligence with curiosity, enthusiasm and vigilance”, he added.The Governor congratulated the University administration for starting new business courses of B-Tech, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics & Communication and expressed happiness that new courses like Environment study, Defence study, Microbiology and Library science would be started from this session. He stressed on the need to adopt and use technology more and more in the times of this pandemic and said that we have to turn Corona's challenge into an opportunity.
Expressing happiness over starting the 'Skill Register Portal' by the State Government, he said that the youth returning from other states should get their names registered in it so that advantage of their skills could be taken. He appealed to maintain confidence in this difficult time and follow the guidelines.He said that the University should become the centre of research, where the basis of education should be character building. He emphasized on qualitative education as well as raising the grade of the university. He also stressed upon teachers to maintain regularity, punctuality and discipline.Congratulating the University on its Golden Jubilee Celebration, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that there had been a lot of development in these 50 years and today, the state has 129 government colleges, 17 Sanskrit colleges and many other institutions associated with this University. But, now we need to focus more on higher education along with research activities, he added. He said that the Prime Minister has paid more attention to research work and budget provision has been made for this. He said that University researchers should take advantage of this and said that ranking would be improved if research activities would increase. He emphasized the need to perform well in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and also to produce good results in the NAAC.Shri Bhardwaj said that the corona pandemic has affected the economy and education the most. He said that during this period, the state Government made arrangements for online education, making books available to students, results of 10th and 12th standard has been declared and also making the admission process online. He said that guidelines of University Grants Commission would be considered in conducting the examination.Prof. Sikandar Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh University welcomed the Governor and other dignitaries and said that the University was on the path of development. He said that the University has increased the expansion activities by getting many bighas of land in its name. He said that 4 new hostels would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 30 crores having accommodation facility of about 200 students. In addition, three new departments would be opened next year. He assured that in the coming time the University would be striving to improve its ranking.On this occasion, the Governor also released University Newsletter, University Journal, magazine and books written by Dr Rajiv Sharma of music department, Acharya Sushma Sharma of Biology department, Acharya Chandra Mohan Parshira of Tribal Center and Acharya Roshan Lal Jinta and Acharya Anita Dutta of Psychology Department.Registrar Sunil Sharma proposed the vote of thanks.MLA Surender Shourie, Member of University Executive Council University Court, Founder, Director, Head of Department and non-teacher staff were also present on the occasion.Earlier, the Governor also planted sapling of Plum (Black Amber) and Suresh Bhardwaj planted Persimmon (Hachiya) in the University campus on the occasion. He also participated in the cleanliness drive