‘I have no regrets’

If you are granted an extension,what are the three jobs that you would like to see grow further?

I am not looking for an extension. I am busy packing my bags and will vacate the V-C’s residence the day my tenure is up. But at the same time,there are projects which have just started and mean a lot to PAU. For example,the dual-degree programme we managed to get from the Kansas State University,under which,students will do two years here in PAU and two years in Kansas. There is another programme under which we had tied up with the Washington State University for in-service PhDs. WSU had waived a lot of charges and the course would have cost just $18,000 a year. We can send as many students as we want and have selected five this year. These kind of programmes are a result of my personal intervention and friendships. These and other such programmes need to be nurtured.

At the start of your tenure you were one of the most accessible V-C PAU has seen. But soon a coterie began to form around you and there was a general perception that because of these people you lost contact with the public?

Every one has confidants,don’t you? I too have some but there is no favoritism. This is a false perception that there is a coterie around me.

Any suggestions for the next V-C?

Not at all. After me,it will all be his task. Let me tell you a small story. An outgoing officer gave three envelopes to his successor. On one envelop,it was written: “Open this when you face the first problem.” The successor did that and found “blame you predecessor” written inside. The successor was to open the second envelop when he faced the second problem and when he did so,he found a note that said: “Blame the economy.” The third envelope had a message to prepare three similar envelopes for the next man to come.

Any regrets?

None at all. Life gives you just one chance and one opportunity. Things had to be done just the way I have done them.