'Academic staff college, a successful movement'

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, OCT. 4. The Vice- Chancellor of Pondicherry Central University, Dr. V. T. Patil, has said that the `Academic staff college' movement launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) was one of the most successful programmes aimed at gearing college teachers to generate a new generation of students capable of taking up leading role in the third millennium to make India a nation of excellence.

Distributing certificates to 42 participants on the concluding day of the 28-day-long 58th orientation course for the college teachers conducted by the UCG academic staff college attached to the Pondicherry Central University today, Dr. Patil said atleast half a dozen of the nearly 50 Academic Staff Colleges could be given a permanent status so that the needs of the participants could be met.

He said holding of refresher or orientation courses in the academic staff colleges had been more relevant to enable the teachers to gain new exposure and to ensure that students under their responsibility were made excellent in academic achievements. Dr. Patil said the whole movement of academic staff college was most productive.

The new generation was restless and eager to move ahead and it did not accept excuses or explanation for non-performance. He said the teaching community should play their part in the overall development of the nation.

Dr. Dnyan Patil, Director of the Academic Staff College of the University of Pune, who presented valedictory address, said the qualities of a good teacher as propounded by Acharya Vinoba Bhave were `hard work', `helping others', `doing experiment' and development of friendship with colleagues.

With the governments spending sumptuously from out of tax payers money on education there was need for teachers to make themselves responsible and put in their sincere efforts. The governments had been spending on tertiary education and was providing free or subsidised education.

Dr. Dnyan Patil said education had acquired the status of industry and hence care should be taken that `products of the industry' were sold fast lest poor quality should lead to winding up of the industry.

He said that there should be serious and sincere efforts on the part of the authorities and participants in patronising the refresher or orientation courses.

Mr. Panch Ramalingam, coordinator of the programme, and Mrs. A. Rani of the Government Arts College Mayiladuthurai (one of the participants) spoke.

Dr. A. Arivunambi, Director of UGC Academic Staff College here presented a report on the college`s activities. So far 67 refresher courses and 58 orientation courses had been conducted in the college here and he thanked the Vice-Chancellor of the Pondicherry university for generous response to holding the course.

Dr. Venktaiah and Dr. Veerakumar, two participants, gave their impressions.

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