The annual strength of students was 4,262 until 2009 jumped up to 6,665 in the last
academic year of 2010
The number of students studying in Jawaharlal Nehru University
(JNU) has increased significantly over the last one year. According to S Chandrasekhar,
coordinator, evaluation, JNU, the annual strength of students, which was 4,262 until
2009 jumped up to 6,665 in the last academic year of 2010.
He says that the increase in the annual intake of students is because of two main
reasons. First, the introduction of 10 new programmes at JNU and the second is 55%
reservation for OBC students, which has led more students to join the university.
The admissions are currently in progress at JNU for the new academic session, after
which there will be a further increase in the number of students.
"We are currently in the middle of admissions and chances are that the number of
students might even cross last year's figure, which was 6,665. The number may remain
the same, but in no case will there be lesser students than this," says Chandrashekharan.
The 10 new courses that have been introduced in the university include two PhD programmes,
mathematical and chemical studies in physical sciences department. Three more PhD
programmes have been started in visual studies, cinema studies and theatre performance
in the School of Arts and Aesthetics. Another new PhD programme for comparative
politics and political theory has been introduced. The Northeast India studies programme,
complex system studies and media research centre for nano sciences are the three
programmes that have been recently started at JNU.
In another development, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between
JNU and Exim Bank of India for the maintenance and development of the Exim Bank
of India JNU economics library.
Under this MoU, Exim Bank shall provide Rs 12.5 lakh per-annum, for a
period of five years, which commenced from April 1. Of this, Rs 10.40 lakh would
be earmarked each year for acquisition of books and journals for the library; rupees
four lakh for two seminars to be organised during the period of the MoU in JNU and
rupees 50,000 each for incidentals/contingency. Both institutions have resolved
to continue their cooperation for the purpose of making the Exim Bank of India JNU
economics library a library of excellence in economics.
Courtesy: Times of India
