Having served as Controller of Examinations (CoE) and Registrar for over 19 years, how has your experience shaped your approach to manage academic processes?
The Controller of Examinations (CoE) profile of Panjab University Chandigarh was challenging but satisfying to the core of my heart. It gave me tremendous confidence and motivation to serve different stakeholders such as more than 2.5 lakh students every year, 200 affiliated colleges, 4,000 teachers of affiliated colleges, grand alumni of the university, state government and other higher authorities.
Rigorous examination reforms were introduced which changed the credibility of the examination system. Besides, student-centric approach and grievance-monitoring system made the CoE role transparent and accountable.
As an author of UnderGraduate (UG) chemistry books, what inspired you to create resources for students, and how do you ensure these remain relevant in an evolving academic landscape?
I was always keen to focus on quality text/reference books and foreign authors’ books which I read during my study years, that were helpful but inaccessible to ordinary readers.
I authored many books which are not only affordable, but contain high standards of content which benefits the readers.
The launch of the examiners’ online portal is a significant step towards digital transformation. Tell us the challenges and successes of this initiative.
The launch of examiners online portal was one of the most successful features as CoE. With this, more than 4,000 teachers from 200 affiliated colleges and 75 teaching departments of PU were assigned different duties such as paper setting, evaluation, supervision, flying squad, etc. by CoE office and consolidation for the payment was marathon job, but with the introduction of this module, the system became transparent and effective which is highly appreciated by the fraternity.
How challenging was it to introduce the semester system at the UG level, and what advice would you give to others implementing similar changes?
One of the most challenging jobs to the Panjab University governing body and authorities was to implement semester system as all other universities had already implemented the same before 2012. However, after I joined as CoE, this duty was assigned to me. With the proper brain storming exercises at BoS, academic council and faculty levels, the system was introduced in 2014-15 academic year by resolving all the teething issues.
How do you plan to further enhance the university’s global collaborations and academic excellence?
With the background of my diverse roles in higher education for the last 40 years and exposure to many overseas universities, and in view of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 where emphasis on internationalisation is prominently mentioned, we must be ready for global integration and collaboration to adopt the best practices of other universities for international accreditation and ranking.
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