Building a new campus

After R.P. Singh, Lucknow University has got another reformer as its vice chancellor - Prof Ajaib Singh Brar.

After R.P. Singh, Lucknow University has got another reformer as its vice chancellor8212;Prof Ajaib Singh Brar. He was in news recently for his decision to introduce a system on the lines of the IITs and IIMs, in which students evaluate teachers. The decision is being seen as an important step in turning around a university whose academic standards have fallen over the years.

But Brar is not bringing in the changes alone. He is taking students, teachers and employees into confidence before making changes and is also open to criticisms as well as ideas floated by them.

A senior professor at IIT-Delhi before he became LU vice chancellor in January 2008, Brar is the first vice chancellor of Lucknow University8212;after a gap of 50 years8212;to take regular classes. There8217;s more to his credit. After nearly two decades, the University completed its examination procedure in May so that students can get their results in time.

Brar8217;s achievements in the few months that he has been on campus stems from his ability to usher in changes while anticipating hurdles and persuading colleagues to join him. Take for instance his plan of getting students to assess teachers. Many expected teachers to oppose it but surprisingly many teachers8217; organisations welcomed his decision and in fact even warned him of where to expect trouble.

Says Brar, 8220;I have been a teacher for over 32 years and I have worked at IIT, so I am aware of the problems and apprehensions of teachers. At the same time, I also understand that issues at IIT are completely different from those at LU. I know that the teachers here think that this system could be misused against them and students might also not give correct feedback. As a result, I decided to take both teachers as well as students into confidence. Before this system is implemented, there will be an open intellectual debate on campus, where both teachers and students will place their problems and will suggest their ways to overcome them. There can hardly be any revolt, if the solutions come from within the campus rather than outside,8221; said Brar.

Next on his agenda: digitalisation of the library and accounts, a review of the graduate and post-graduate syllabus and regularising the academic session.