HYDERABAD: A new vice-chancellor will take charge of Osmania University on Monday, at a time when the campus has become the epicentre of the Telangana agitation. Prof S Satyanarayana has been given the toughest mandate given to any VC of the university in the last four decades. Even prior to the current phase of the agitation, the university had been suffering an erosion of academic standards. But now it is faced with a complete collapse of its academic structure.In an interview with Express, Prof Satyanarayana, a veteran Osmanian, said his first task is to restore the academic calendar. In the longer term, employability of OU students has to be improved and academic standards have to be revitalised.As for the agitation itself, Satyanarayana says the students’ right to express their views on separate Telangana cannot be denied but academic activities must not be disturbed in the best interests of the students themselves. Excerpts from the interview.What are your feelings about taking over as vice-chancellor at a time when the university is in turmoil?Whatever be the difficulties, it’s an honour to serve the university where I started my career. It’s an opportunity to give back something I received.What is on your agenda?The academic schedule got delayed last year due to the agitation. We have to set it back on the rails, and ensure that students do not lose an academic year. But I see beyond that. I want to improve the education standards. This would need filling the vacant posts -- teaching as well as non-teaching. The government has given me the green light, and I plan to fill about 200-300 teaching posts within the next three months.Isn’t the agitation a source of difficulty for you?Students come to a university for education. Therefore, their main aim should be studies. I want to ensure that my students don’t ignore their academics for the sake of agitations. As far as the Telangana movement is concerned, students have every right to express their views. It’s their fundamental right. But they can participate in the movement without disturbing the academic schedule.Do you think the students will listen to you?I’m sure they will cooperate if they see my purpose. You know, right now classes are going on at the OU College of Engineering despite the disturbances on campus. That’s because students are assured of placement. Good placements will instill confidence among students and they will air their views without disruption.The number of students choosing OU has fallen in recent years. Does that worry you?It may be true but that’s because fewer students are now opting for conventional courses like pure sciences and arts. I saw the same phenomenon at the undergrad level when I was the principal of Nizam College a couple of years ago. This is happening in many colleges. I can’t say that this is because of the current agitation.Students today prefer professional education.Yes, the number of students opting for technical and professional education is increasing. Seats are available in colleges providing such courses, not just in AP but also in neighbouring states as well. Employability is a crucial factor. If you look at the commerce courses, there has been no drastic fall in the number of students enrolling for such courses.How would you make conventional courses more appealing to students?Basic sciences are the foundation of any educational system. Conventional degrees like BSc, BA and BCom are given priority at Osmania University. However, I will try to improve employability. The only reason students don’t opt for such courses is the fear that they may not get a good job after they complete their studies.How do you plan to overcome that fear?I want to start diploma and certificate courses as add-on programmes to improve the employment opportunities available to our students. Emphasis will be laid on improving language and communication skills.
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