By ARFAT KHAN
JAMMU: Utilization of massive 100 crore funds sanctioned by University Grants Commission (UGC) under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to Jammu University is under increasing fire from academic circles in the campus.
Sharing ill fate of UGC most prestigious flagship web-based education project- MOOCSs (Massive Open Online Courses through SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) in JU, one professor of PG English Department said, “The funds were meant for promoting excellence in higher education in the campus but it seems the authorities main focus is only towards securing catchy headlines in newspapers”
Sources reveals, “Amount to the tune of Rs 65 lakhs were incurred on procurement of 100 LED screens for facilitating MOOCS project”. These LEDs were purchased almost one and half years ago but fails to prove its meaningful existence as 95 % of these are lying intact in packed condition in storerooms of several faculty departments. However, some of the faculty departments where these LED screens managed to appear on walls of classrooms were only acts as a piece of decoration, as still they are not connected with dish antenna.
The entire focus of the purchase committee headed by Dean Academic Affairs Prof Naresh Padha was on purchase of LED screens whereas to provide auxiliary equipment for its working were never taken into consideration by them, said the varsity insiders.
To dig out the reality of MOOCs project in JU, the JK Global News team telephonically interact randomly with two faculty members each from all the 38 PG departments and strangely majority of them substantiated the inputs of our varsity sources.
Not only MOOCs but also significant areas of focus which includes formation of research labs, purchase of equipment, upgradation of syllabus, business incubation and innovation centre, entrepreneurship and skill development centre, and industry, academia interface centre as well as special purpose vehicle for which Rs 100 crore was sanctioned by HRD under RUSA reflects sorry state of affairs in JU, said sources.
Based on NAAC accreditation of JU with A+ grade (3.51 points), HRD on May 2018 has sanctioned a sum of Rs 100 crore to JU for promotion of academic excellence, research work and entrepreneurship and skill development courses. First installment of this amount was release on Dec 2018.
Most surprisingly, the faculty in the PG departments of Biotechnology and Human Genetics, which is head by none other than the VC Prof Manoj Dhar, were divided on the functioning of these LED screens. One Professor of Biotechnology expressed her ignorance over existence of LED screen for facilitating MOOCs program for students.
Interestingly, the JU has also identified and approved 46 PG MOOCs courses offered through SWAYAM to its students with weightage of four credits in the examination.
Expressing annoyance over the way RUSA funds are consumed in JU, an officer of Registrar office said, “Academics well-being took back seat when priority is on mindless use of funds” Nearly 100 LEDs were purchased by a coterie of VC without calling tender process, the officer added.
“UGC select JU for whooping funding for the purpose of promoting excellence in education and research compatible with the varsity level. However, the VC and coterie of sycophants busy in showcase of fruitless activities having no relevance in varsity academic curriculum,” asserts one Professor of History Department .
“Everything is being run and managed by a coterie of sycophants in JU, where major chunk of Rs 100 crore funds still fails to utilized for meaningful projects despite its sanctioned almost 2 years ago, avers one professor of PG department of Economics preferring anonymity.”
“Enraged over reckless use of RUSA funds on several such activities which are incompatible with the varsity standard, the large number of faculty in JU have pitched for appointment of non-local VC on the completion of present VC Prof Manoj Dhar.”
Efforts to seek Prof Naresh Padha reaction on the issue couldn’t materialized as he preferred to remain mute to our repeated calls.