After the grand success in the real estate business Supertech has entered into Academic sector too. Recently, KRISHI JAGRAN Editorial Team in a long conversation with Dr. V.P.S.K. Arora-Vice Chancellor -Supertech University and came across its establishment & entire vision. Dr. Arora an alums of G.B. Pant Agriculture University & Founder of Dean College of Agri Business also. Let’s see what he says about his newly developed Supertech University & its vision.
Who initiated the establishment of Supertech University?
Person who conceived the idea of establishing Supertech University in rural area of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is Mr. R K Arora, Chairman and Managing Director of Supertech Group of Companies. He has given a definite shape to the idea for implementation.
Is there any society or NGO running this University? Please name if any.
The University is being set up by the Supertech Foundation, a Non-Profit organization founded by Supertech Limited, with one of the objectives of imparting education to the poor and needy, and promoting higher education in educationally lagging areas. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation consists of eminent personalities from different fields including one former Vice Chancellor of State University (Kumaun University, Nainital) of Uttarakhand. Supertech Foundation has already tied up for the finances required for arranging land and other expenses in setting up the University.
Who are the main educationists on the board?
The foundation has been able to muster unconditional support of visionary and reformers of higher education in establishing Supertech University in Uttarakhand to impart quality education in relevant disciplines. These include former and sitting Vice Chancellors like Dr. V P S Arora (Kumaun University, Nainital); Dr. S.N. Puri, (Central Agricultural University, Shillong); Prof. S K Singh, (Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Central University, Srinagar), Prof. Gajendra Singh, (Doon University, Dehradun); Prof. Durg Singh Chauhan, (Association of Indian Universities and Vice Chancellor, GLA University, Mathura and former Vice Chancellor of Four Universities); Prof. V K Jain, (Doon University, Dehradun) ; Prof P G Chengappa (UAS, Bangalore); Prof H S Dhami, (Kumaun University, Nainital). Other Personalities include Prof Shabd S Acharya, Former Chairman CACP and Director, Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur; Mr. Pooran Chandra Pandey, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact Network, India; Dr. D. P. Singh, Former Assistant Director General (Vegetables) ICAR; Padam Shree Dr. Brahma Singh, former Director, Life Sciences, DRDO; Prof. Wolfgang Amann, top strategy professor and management consultant; Dr. J P Mittal, Eminent Scientist and Educationist; Professor Anand P Gupta, Former Professor of Economics at IIM (A) and currently Director, Economic Management Institute, New Delhi; Mr. Sudhir K Sinha, an active CSR campaigner by Profession; Col. Prakash Tewari (Retd), Vice President, CSR and Education, Jindal Steel and Power Limited; Dr. Catherine Bernard; Professor Reeta Sonawat, Elected Dean Faculty of Home Science, S.N.D.T. Women’s University; Prof Krishna Kumar Pande, Dean Academics, TMU, Moradabad; Prof N S Rana; Prof Santosh Kumar, Prof. Shiv K Tripathi, Professor of Strategy, Supply Chain and Ethics at Mzumbe University Dar Es Salaam Campus (Business School); Mr. Sanjay Pande, Director, Satoree; AMBASSADOR (Retd) PASCAL ALAN NAZARETH; Dr. Subodh Shishodia CEO of Indo-Swiss Joint Venture company; Mr. BB Singh AVP (Corporate Affairs) in TATA Chemicals; Mr. Onkareshwar Pandey, a journalist of repute; Mr. Harender Singh, a Global Head of Marketing and Sales Nunhems Seeds (part of Bayer Crop Science, Germany); Mr. Tushar Pandey, Senior President and Country Head - Public and Social Policies Management at YES BANK; Dr. Sunita Singh Sengupta, Former Professor of Behavioral Sciences at IIM (C) and currently Professor of Organizational Behavior at FMS, Delhi University; Dr. R. Gopichandran, Director, Vigyan Prasar ; etc.
Mission of your University?
Creation of an educational environment where, “mind is without fear and head is held high", achieved through implicit compliance to cutting edge differentiators:
Creation of a conducive teaching-learning climate wherein intellectual curiosity, creative freedom and passion for excellence become part of the DNA of the university.
Creation, preservation, utilization, and dissemination of dynamic but relevant knowledge through research, innovation, consulting, and capacity building.
A flexible academic structure, curriculum and mindset devoid of rigidity of precedents, rooted in the thought process that when the student is ready, the teacher appears, and freedom to pursue one’s core interest and areas of study.
Help unleash originality and creativity inherent in each student and teacher.
Focus on values, culture and ethics, embedded in Indian system.
Green campus to promote eco-consciousness and champions of sustainability.
A healthy campus life with modern amenities and transparent governance.
How do you see establishing University in Rural India?
Uttarakhand is largely a rural state and educational infrastructure is weak therein, resulting in a number of aspiring and talented youth without being exposed to higher education. The University aims to cater to the rural youth of the state by providing education in conventional as well as professional courses. The Directorate of Skill Development of the University will make the youth of the state employable in 400 odd industries/ companies functioning in the area.
What are the reliability factors one must keep in mind while taking admission in any University?
The attitude and socio cultural background of the candidate besides his intellectual and analytical capability are the key factors which should be kept in mind while admitting a candidate to any program at tertiary education level.
Whether Private University/ Institutions get the same popularity as the Govt.?
Private Universities/ Institutions imparting quality education are becoming popular among students and parents, compared to the conventional Universities/ Colleges. Though number of students admitted in state universities/ colleges is much higher than those admitted in private institutions, the reason is either the non availability of good private institution in the area or affordability of the education seeker.
What is the basic infrastructure a University need?
University intends to build the sustainable infrastructure i.e.
Saving on water, light, green building
High on natural surrounding
Green campus with technology fusion (about 1/3rd green cover)
Green building certification
Use of local material and local artisans / crafts man and women
‘Everything under one roof’ campus including sports and recreation
Fully residential
Infrastructure to be benchmarked against some of the best campuses (IIM-A), CEE, NID, ISB, OP Jindal University etc)
Initially, each School would have one teaching building/ block, with lecture-rooms and faculty studies for all specializations, and libraries, studios, laboratories, rehearsal rooms and other workspaces as appropriate. Physical proximity in the early stages of growth may foster intellectual exchange. The reputed Universities/ Institutions like Indian Institute of Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and National Centre for Biological Sciences are to be consulted for advice on setting up research laboratories and instrumentation centres for the sciences. Theatres, auditoria, gymnasia, studios, rehearsal rooms and workshops will be needed for performing, visual and applied arts disciplines. Other disciplines will have other special needs. These requirements will be worked out by the respective domains extended over time, making special provision for new researchers.
Each department would have its own small library and computer facilities, backed by centralized library and computing facility, available round-the-clock, and the entire campus would have Wi-Fi connectivity. There would be a well-stocked Central Library having digital resources on par with major universities elsewhere in the world, with remote access from all parts of the campus, and adequate opening hours.
The campus would have a sports centre with indoor and outdoor sports facilities, playing fields, a swimming pool, and appropriate equipment. In order that these facilities are fully utilized, the University would set up sports clubs in each discipline, with interested students, faculty and other staff practicing regularly, and receiving coaching from senior players.
Other campus facilities, such as hostels, housing, health centre, counseling centre, crèche, nurseries, schools, banks, shops (including bookshops), restaurants and cafes, post office, and so on meeting the recommendations of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, and the University’s own assessment of its needs.
The University will thus ensure Quality Infrastructure for conducting curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities in the University. Some of the specific infrastructural facilities is to be created by the University are:
Air-conditioned/ air-cooled Instructional Buildings consisting of Faculty Cabins, Class Rooms, Laboratories, Conference Rooms, Seminar Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Cafeterias, etc.
State-of-Art Auditorium, having a sitting capacity of about 1000 persons.
Centrally air-conditioned library equipped with modern automation system and needed books, journals, e-journals, software’s etc.
Centralized air-conditioned computing facilities well equipped with all relevant softwares and computing devices.
Intranet System to provide complete automation for inter-department communication, attendance of staff, students and guests, academic delivery and examinations.
Air-conditioned/ cooled Hostels for Students (separately for Boys and Girls);
Residential Accommodation for Faculty and Staff.
Foolproof security system, and Sports and recreation facilities.
All amenities needed for residential instructions and conducive teaching learning activities including sports (indoor and outdoor), physical exercises, crèche and schooling facilities for small kids/ children of staff and faculty members, health centre for students, staff and faculty members.
Statutory green cover and landscape.
How many Universities are functional in or around Rudrapur?
Three State Universities including an Open University and one private University are functional in the area to cater to about 3 lakh potential of the region.
What is the vision of your University?
Creation of an edifice of excellence, aligned with global bests, imparting true education based on pillars of research, innovation, intellectual curiosity and freedom to pursue the same.
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