The innovative Vice Chancellor Scholar scheme at Ravenshaw University will have impact
Following is an excerpt from Shilpi Sampad’s report in Telegraph.
The prestigious Cuttack university has come up with a novel concept where postgraduate toppers are being given an opportunity to take classes at the undergraduate level in their respective fields for one year. Fourteen toppers have been appointed as “vice-chancellor’s scholars” to be part of their respective departments not only to teach but also to assist in research work, maintain archives and other work. They would be paid a consolidated monthly remuneration of Rs 8,000 from the university funds, said varsity officials.
“The toppers will be involved in departmental functioning and attached to the V-C’s office for executive assistance,” said Chandi Prasad Nanda, head of the history department at Ravenshaw University.
Stating that the programme was the brainchild of vice-chancellor Devdas Chhotray, Nanda said the objective was to guide meritorious students and encourage them to take up teaching as a profession.
“The idea behind this novel initiative is to motivate young scholars to engage themselves in teaching and research work. Here, they would work as interns and can, simultaneously, pursue M.Phil programmes. Through this exposure, they can be sensitised to research trends and pick up teaching skills. It would also prepare them for competitive exams,” said Dipti Ranjan Sahu, head of the sociology department.
The toppers, who have been taking classes since the beginning of this month, seemed happy and excited about being given this opportunity.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I can now understand how difficult a teacher’s job is. We take one to two classes a day and look after other activities of the department. Although it is slightly hectic, I am enjoying every bit of being a teacher,” said Kaikashna Begum, a V-C scholar and gold medallist of the political science department.
This is a wonderful scheme and would encourage many of the toppers to pursue academics, which will help help alleviate the faculty shortage in India.
September 14th, 2011