Patna University has decided to step up its demand for a central university status.
The university administration is planning to send a fresh proposal to the Union human resource development (HRD) ministry to push for its demand.
University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh said: “We are planning to send a fresh proposal to the Union HRD ministry. The proposal will contain important details of the university, including the courses taught in the institute, the strength of students and teachers and the available infrastructure.”
A proposal to this effect, duly approved by various statutory bodies such as the academic council, the syndicate and the senate, would be submitted to the Union government at the earliest.
Singh said the institute authorities would launch a signature campaign to put pressure on New Delhi for a central university status. “The campaign will not only include teachers, students and other employees of PU, but will also involve eminent academics, prominent doctors, artistes and people from all walks of life who in some or the other way are associated with Patna University. Once the campaign is over, the signatures will be sent to the HRD ministry to draw Sibal’s attention,” Singh said.
If PU gets a central university status, it will benefit the university in various ways (see chart). It will also be easier for the university to get central and University Grants Commission funds.
“The demand for granting central university status to PU is not new. The university has always been ignored, as there was no strong political lobby to push its case. Old universities, including Allahabad University, Goa University, Guru Ghasidas University, were made central universities. But the Centre never considered PU seriously,” Singh said.
The students as well as the teachers of the university unanimously demanded the central university status to it. “The university fulfils all the criteria for a central university status. It has a big campus, students from across Bihar come here and it is well connected as well. Then where is the problem?” Rash Bihari Prasad Singh, a senior teacher said.
