Lalit Narayan Mithila University

The Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU) administration has sought proposals from its postgraduate departments to conduct seminars in the coming months.

Several departments have indicated interest but only 10 of the 22 post-graduate departments have sent proposals. The varsity administration has started issuing cheques worth Rs 50,000 to departments that submitted proposals.

The LNMU administration is laying stress on each department holding seminars. The University Grant Commission (UGC) has granted the varsity Rs 32 lakh for seminars, symposiums or workshops to be conducted by postgraduate departments before March 15 next year.

LNMU vice-chancellor Saket Kushwaha said: “Seminars, workshops, and symposia are the integral part of higher education and must be conducted in each department. Great scholars share their technical knowhow — gained through books or experience — with students. Seminars help teachers and students exchange views on topics. What is the problem in conducting seminars if the UGC grants funds and we have the vision for it?”

Development officer at LNMU, K.K. Sahu, told The Telegraph: “The UGC has granted Rs 32 lakh under 12th finance commission grants to be spent by postgraduate departments on seminars, symposiums or workshops before March 15. We have sought proposals as per UGC guidelines from all 22 departments and many have responded. We have started distributing cheques of Rs 50,000 to these departments.”

Sahu said: “Each department would have to conduct the UGC-sponsored seminar. If Rs 50,000 is not enough, departments are free to arrange funds from internal resources. Whatever funds are left with us would be distributed among departments if they are conducting seminars.”

Priya Kumari, a third semester postgraduate student of the political science department, said: “Students get exposure to knowledge at seminars; they provide an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on topics. The varsity’s PG departments are ready to conduct seminars and we are ready to harness benefits.”

Departments that have submitted proposals for seminars or workshops include physics, botany, geography, philosophy, commerce, Hindi, Maithili, music, Sanskrit and mathematics. Other departments are yet to respond.

The university music department has scheduled its national seminar on November 11-12 on ‘Hindustani Shashtriye Gaayan: Gayeekee and Shikshan Paddhati’. The history department is the only one planning an international seminar on November 22-23.