AN eminent educationist, Dr. Lavu Rathiah pioneered the concept of residential system of college education in the 1980s. As the founder and Chancellor of Vignan Deemed University, he is keen on promoting collaborative research, and a dynamic institution-industry partnership, and envisions three-dimensional growth that will enable the student acquire cutting-edge skills. Excerpts from an interview with Frontline:
What is your vision for Vignan Deemed University?
We have envisioned a three-dimensional growth, which will enable the student to develop cutting edge skills in academics and research besides enhancing his managerial skills. We aim at developing the technical core competency of the students, making them technocrat managers and focus on collaborative research with premium institutions in India and abroad. Selected students will be trained to appear in the civil services examinations.
How is pursuing a degree in Vignan University different from that in other universities?
We will create confidence in the students by giving them hands-on training for 13 months. Beginning from the second year, four months in a year will be devoted to training and practical exposure in real time. Infrastructural facilities will be opened up for industries and software companies so that they set up their campuses in the university.
Classrooms have been redesigned to make them fully electronic. Our collaboration with Napier University, U.K., Fraser Valley University, Canada, and many others will enable students to have a global prospective.
Quality research is often placed on the back burner in technical institutions. How will you address the issue?
We place greater emphasis on research and I have a vision of doing collaborative research with premium research institutes in the country. The Department of Science and Technology has numerous projects lying unutilised and we are confident of making research a priority area. Each department should have at least 10 research projects and students should be encouraged to pursue research.
