The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) academic council, headed by a controversial vice-chancellor on extension, has approved a proposal to set up a medical school in what is being seen as a fresh attempt to diffuse the standing of the institution as a celebrated cradle for humanities and social sciences.
The initiative of M. Jagadesh Kumar, the vice-chancellor who is on extension after his tenure expired in January this year, also tests a government position that advises caretaker vice-chancellors against taking substantive policy decisions.
An email this newspaper sent to the vice-chancellor to ascertain his views elicited no response till Tuesday night.
Once the executive council approves the proposal passed on Tuesday by the academic council, the university will start the medical school which will offer courses and integrate modern medicine with traditional medicine.
“Academic Council unanimously approved, as per the provisions of JNU Act, 1966, establishing a School of Medical Sciences and an attached Hospital with broad and super-speciality departments including supporting and non-conventional departments,” said a media release issued by rector Rana P. Singh.
The media release added: “This School will offer PhD, MD-PhD, MD, MS, DM, MCh and MBBS degree programmes, with an emphasis on modern medicine integrated with traditional medicine and knowledge systems from humanities and social sciences.”
The new proposal has attracted criticism on two counts — alleged failure to hold proper deliberations and the lack of power of the in-charge VC to push such a policy agenda.
The JNU Teachers Association wrote a letter to the education minister, complaining against the in-charge VC.
JNUTA secretary Moushumi Basu said that the proposal for starting a medical school was not discussed with the related centres like the Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health.
VC Kumar had set up a committee of subject experts from medical institutions, which endorsed the proposal to set up the medical school.
Basu said the schools of engineering and management were started by the JNU in 2018 without proper discussion. Both the schools are yet to establish themselves in terms of quality, she said.
Aditya N. Mishra, former president of the Federation of Central Universities Teachers’ Associations, said both the engineering and management schools did not have adequate infrastructure and faculty, affecting the quality.
“Considering the standard of JNU, both the schools are not able to attract best talents,” Mishra said.
A student of the engineering school said it did not have a building of its own. Besides, they have been put up in dormitories and a sizable section of faculty members are not regular employees, the student said.