‘Aim to provide quality education’

By Mouli Mareedu

P rof. D Narasimha Reddy, popularly known as D N Reddy, assumed charge as the first Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad after JNTU segregated into four universities. Prof Reddy has more than 30 years of experience as an administrator and academician working in various key positions in the field of education, especially, engineering departments. He also discharged duties as a successful Convener of Integrated Common Entrance Test (I-CET 2008), when it was conducted on behalf of the Osmania University.

Before Prof Reddy accepted the Vice-Chancellor of JNTU, he was principal of Engineering Colleges of Osmania University. Prof Reddy did his Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Mechanical Engineering at Osmania University in 196874. Then, he did M.Tech from IIT Madras and Ph.D from IIT Delhi. Deccan Post interacted with D N Reddy to known about his dreams for JNTU Hyderabad. Excerpts:

Q. How do you feel as the first Vice-Chancellor of JNTU, Hyderabad, after JNTU split into four?

I feel very happy. Really, it is a good honour for me as the Government assigned me a responsible job. At the same time, my duties also increased along with the position of a new Vice-Chancellor of JNTU.

Q. As a new V-C of JNTU Hyderabad, what is your precedence to look into the main issue in the varsity?

Well, first, I want to streamline the entire system of academics and other polices in the JNTU to provide quality education to students without any obstructions. We are also planning to introduce a few reforms soon.

Q.What kind of reforms do you want to introduce?

After segregation of the JNTU, the Hyderabad JNTU has as many as 220 engineering colleges and a few Pharmacy and management colleges. I would like to strengthen these colleges academically like maintaining quality education, making available good laboratory, library, and talented teaching staff. If affiliated colleges violate these norms, the JNTU will cancel the affiliation.

Q. Do you have any plans to introduce new courses and new colleges?

Yes, we are planning to introduce a few new courses in graduation and Post-Graduation levels from the next academic year. The new courses are - VLSI Embedded System, Networking and embedded system. I am concentrating to develop the JNTU as one of the best universities in the world providing good infrastructure and other facilities to the faculty and students. The Government has also sanctioned a new college, which will be set up at Jagithyala in Karimnagar district.

Q. Tension prevailed among students on the issue of certificates by the respective managements after the JNTU split into four varsities, while JNTU, Hyderabad has a brand image globally.What is the solution to this?

There is no need to get tensed. As per APSCHE guidelines, 80 per cent of the same syllabus would be pursued in the four new universities — JNTU-Kakinada, JNTUAnanthapur, JNTU - Hyderabad and Fine Arts and Architecture -Masab Tank, Hyderabad . Only 20 per cent of syllabus would be prepared by the respective managements as per their local needs. Besides, students can get their academic certificates in the name of JNTU-Kakinada and JNTUAnanthapur.

Q. What about placement facilities for students?

Well, from the current academic year, the JNTU, Hyderabad is planning to start campus placements in all affiliated colleges, including the main campus. We are planning to conduct job fair and career fairs in all colleges to create jobs for all eligible students. This is the first time JNTU Hyderabad is taking up such an initiative.

Q. What kinds of steps are you taking to strengthen research activities by scholars?

We are focused not only on academic oriented aspects but also encouraging the students to do research on different angles in the field of science and engineering. To create awareness among science and engineering courses, the JNTU and Honeywell Nobel Company jointly organised a Nobel laureate lecture series by Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Claude Cohen-Tannoudji.