RU vice chancellor (second left) AA Khan addresses a news meet in Ranchi on Wednesday. Picture by Hardeep Singh

A Ranchi University syndicate meeting chaired by outgoing vice chancellor A.A. Khan on Wednesday approved autonomous status for Ranchi Women’s College.

The meet also set a January 31 deadline to free the administrative building premises of encroachments for expansion projects, including a building that is expected to cost Rs 5 crore.

This apart, a five-member committee was formed under the chairmanship of proctor and syndicate member K.N. Tiwari, to solve provident fund related problems of former employees. “The syndicate has also decided to extend 7 per cent DA to employees. Plans to begin Mediclaim policy and voluntary retirement scheme in the university too has been approved,” said pro-vice chancellor V.P. Sharan.

On his last working day as vice chancellor before he retires on December 31, Khan presented a report card highlighting achievements during his six-year tenure since 2006.

“I am content about my stint because I can proudly say that I have achieved more than what I had targeted in taking this varsity ahead,” he said.

Khan’s major achievement has been infrastructure.

“Before me, there wasn’t a proper administrative building. Today, we have a state-of-the-art facility to operate from. This apart, we have a separate campus for basic sciences, an auditorium, quarters for non-teaching staff, information and knowledge e-centre, institute of management studies and a hostel building in Ranchi Women’s College,” said Khan.

The vice chancellor accepted that compared to massive physical achievements, the university had not really excelled in academics. He blamed it on a poor talent pool and lack of well qualified teachers.

“Just 25 per cent of the entire teaching pool is good. Do you think with this army we can achieve excellence in academics?” he asked, adding that any university needs three things — infrastructure, quality teachers and academic ambience.

“I achieved the first part, tried my best for the second and third. But without proper government support it is difficult to go alone,” he said.

However, a slew of academic initiatives was taken in his regime. “UGC chose anthropology, geography, geology and English (to be notified) for special assistance programmes. Ranchi College, Marwari and St Xavier’s Colleges have been chosen as potential for excellence hubs,” Khan said.