India's Best Universities: Hyderabad University always puts students first

Vice-Chancellor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy on the university campusAmid silence punctuated mostly by the incessant call of peacocks, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Hyderabad, Professor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, 60, finds his art-infused office building the perfect sanctuary for everything- from planning for the forthcoming academic session to Facebooking. He is always logged into Facebook, with over 2,000 friends on his list being students. "lt's a great way to stay connected with the students and be accessible to them.It's 'student-first' philosophy and an ethos deeply focused on research that have been consistent since 1974, when University of Hyderabad or Hyderabad Central University (HCU) was founded, drawing students from all over India and scores of foreign students too. Ramaswamy, who became the vice-chancellor in 2011, nurtures the long-term vision of expanding the student base and outreach. "We have some excellent facilities and our faculty is among the best in the country. My vision is to make these available to an increasing number of students every year, he says.The key thing, as Ramaswamy admits, is to provide better infrastructure. "This includes expansion of our existing facilities, improved classrooms besides better accommodation for the students. I believe that knowledge can best be shared in an environment that students find stimulating and most suitable for learning.An outstanding milestone last year was the upgrade of the university by UGC from being a University with Potential for Excellence to University of Excellence. For the vice-chancellor, a PhD in Chemistry from Princeton University, it is instances of excellent research work by students and faculty at the university that stand out. "For instance, pursuing his integrated master's course, Nireekshan Reddy's two research papers published in prestigious international journals in the broad field of optics were truly momentous. Then the university was also in news for the three ICSSR-Amartya Sen Award recipients in the last academic year-a former student, Dr Kalpana Kanabiran who is now the director for Council for Social Development, Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam, associate professor in the School of Economics, and a former faculty member Surinder Jodhka.With a variety of new courses in fields of sanskrit computational linguistics, cognitive sciences and earth sciences besides children's theatre and public health added in the last academic year, the university provides specialised learning opportunities. There have been other socially relevant ventures too such as the Theatre Outreach Unit started by the Department of Theatre which aims to engage with theatre practices outside institutional parameters in such a way that there is a continuous flow of knowledge and skills between academics and theatre practice.An avid blogger, Ramaswamy writes on everything from a faculty member receiving a prestigious award to the Game of Thrones on his blog-hcurocks.wordpress.com-that puns on the extensive rockscapes of the sprawling 2,000-acre campus.A nature enthusiast himself, the professor underscores the need to conserve the natural heritage of the university property. "Based on an ISRO procured map of the university, around 600 acres is just conservation land which includes water, the natural rocks-some of which might be centuries old-and the flora and fauna including at least 45 different varieties of birds. One of the lakes is being expanded with a bund built around, which will serve as a hangout spot for the students. There is a huge portion of the campus where we do not permit any construction work because it is set aside for conservation, making the university a significant biodiversity zone of Hyderabad.There is much that is already done with the way paved for many more milestones over the next few years. "Much depends on funding besides the policies of the new Government. It's early days and we will have to wait and see how things shape up in the months to come.Follow the writer on Twitter @MonaramavatPublished By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 30, 1999 00:00 IST--- ENDS ---

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India's Best Universities: Hyderabad University always puts students first

With an eye on expanding student base and research-oriented studies, HCU marches ahead

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