Vice chancellor of Kolhan University Shukla Mahanty on her plans to make higher education exciting and more relevant

TT: What do you think of Kolhan University’s achievements so far?  

SM: We are a new university and have a long way to go

Women’s education has always been your priority.

Yes, because girls in rural areas still drop out of colleges. Sixty per cent students of Kolhan University are girls. My priority will be to improve the level of women’s education in the university

What has been your biggest achievement as an academic?

We wanted a women’s university in Jharkhand and as principal of Jamshedpur Women’s College, we received permission from MHRD. Implementing some major decisions, like the semester system will also be a milestone 

What’s the idea behind Coffee with VC? 

The idea is to break the ice between the university head and students. It is aimed at ensuring discipline among students 
and a proper academic ambience 

How can you ensure that more girls opt for higher education?

We have decided to start a distance learning programme, which will help girls as well as boys who cannot attend regular 
college 

NAAC score for the university has been poor. What will you do to improve the rating? 

We are planning to offer new courses, start research programmes and initiate student welfare activities
 
Has there been a first step yet?  

We are ready to implement choice-based credit system, which will be a milestone for the university. The system will enable 
students to choose subject combinations in their interest areas

Students unrest has been inseparable from Kolhan University. 

I think every problem can be solved through dialogue. We have constituted a monitoring committee too  

What new courses are you looking at?

We have sent a proposal to the state higher education and technical department for courses that are more relevant to the present times. Also, we will start four new colleges to increase the gross enrolment ratio (GER) 

What is your immediate priority? 

I want to launch MEd and distance education facilities as soon as possible.

As told to Antara Bose