Shimla: On the 40th Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal let the institution know that it was an occasion to introspect over its achievements and weaknesses so that it did rise to become a role model for other universities.
Speaking at a function on the campus organized to mark the day, Dhumal said that there was a need to prepare a vision document for bringing about qualitative improvement in the university education system.
On the occasion, the chief minister also laid the foundation stone for an Rs 2.90 crore building that would house a multi faculty and a Rs 5.10 crore Tourism and Hotel Management Institute.
Forty years is a long period for any institution, said Dhumal adding, “and as it happens to be a center for intellectual discourses, to keep abreast with global trends about equipping talented young minds for academics and vocations, preparing a vision document was the need of the hour.â€
He said that the university with its advantageous location needed to be capitalized for turning the institution into a centre of excellence.
“In an age of cut throat competition, students have to be equipped with best of the skills to match global standards so as to enable them to meet challenges of the future,†he said.
In his address, SK Gupta, Vice-chancellor, gave an overview of the universities achievements. “We are exploring introduction of more vocational courses, which would enable the youth to find employment opportunities.â€
He said that the placement cell in the university would be strengthened to help qualified students to find jobs more conveniently.
The Vice-chancellor also thanked the chief minister for enhancing the grant for the university from Rs 30 crore to Rs 50 crore in current financial year “which had eased the financial constraints considerably.â€
It was on 22nd July, 1970 that Himachal Pradesh University was established as a state university amidst a sprawling campus at Summer Hill.
Picture Credit: Lalit Kumar
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
Sometimes we need to wake up from our ‘dreams’…HPU is one case in point.As some insiderr only terms it as a Hotch Potch University !