Chandigarh, February 26
Prof. Y.S. Rajan will continue as
Scientific Adviser to the state government but confirmed having
resigned, as the Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University (PTU).
The resignation is, however, yet to be accepted. Though the Board of
Governors has recommended the name of Prof S.K. Salwan as Prof Rajan’s
successor, it is for the Chancellor and the government to take a
decision is this connection.
In an interview with The Tribune today,
Prof Rajan said he had agreed to continue as Scientific Adviser after he
spoke to Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh.
Prof Rajan was not very
forthcoming on what exactly made him quit as the Vice-Chancellor. It
was, however, apparent that he was disheartened by the absence of a
“system of systemic control’’ and unwarranted demands on him from
several quarters to bend or break the rules. He had to fight his way out
at all levels to implement the existing regulations and procedures.
He
took over as the fifth Vice-Chancellor of the PTU on October 17,
2002.
He set about improving academic housekeeping and sprucing up
administration with the support of the PTU’s Board of Governors,
Academic Council, skeleton senior-level faculty and mediocre lower-level
staff whose very selection was questionable. Of course, the Principals
and managements of the affiliated colleges were consulted in all
matters.
Prof Rajan said, “My main purpose was to initiate dialogue
and communicate directly with the colleges to bring about transparent
application of systems and procedures and eliminate the practice of
affiliated colleges to flood and burden the PTU with “frivolous’’
requests that could not be acceded to. Another task was to make the PTU
compatible with and relevant to Punjab’s socio-economic systems by
inculcating skills among the youth.
Prof Rajan said: “A lot remains to
be done in respect of introduction of computer science education and its
application in villages from class VIII to XII, make quality recruitment
in the PTU and its colleges and refurbish the university’s negative
image.” He saw great potential in the Ludhiana-Mohali-Dera Bassi axis
for the absorption of youth.
