New SGBAU Amravati university to target rural education

"Amravati region is rich in natural resources. It has a vast tribal belt where the percentage of education is less. It will be my endeavour to increase awareness about education in this belt and impart skill-based education so that students can avail benefits of these resources," said Dr Murlidhar Chandekar, the newly-appointed vice-chancellor of Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University

He said he would follow the 'inclusion, expansion and excellence' formula. "I will focus on the expansion of education at rural level and development of excellence at the urban level. I will plan and work in the direction of strengthening student-centric output," he said.

The 56-year-old who was principal of VMV College, Nagpur, had brief stints as pro-VC of Nagpur University and acting VC of Gondwana University.His plan to do some concrete things in this area.

The new VC favoured the Rajesh Agrawal committee recommendations about exam reforms. Chandekar said, "The quality of students depends on the environment they get for learning. Academic institutions need to plan in that direction," he said.Chandekar lamented there was no common model of education at state or national level, resulting in no university from the country finishing among first 500 varsities of the world.

On reforms in a syllabus, Chandekar said that there should be an inclusion of experts. "Industrialists, scientists, social workers must be consulted while revising the syllabi," he stressed.The new VC also plans to motivate students for research and do small projects which will help them to enhance the analytical and research skills.