OU inaugurates Centre for Student Discourses

Politicians can use space for debates, not to preach politics: VC

Osmania University Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof D. Ravinder on Saturday clarified that while politicians could come to the varsity for debate and discourse following due procedure, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was denied permission as he was coming for political reasons.

The VC was speaking to media persons about major reforms being implemented for the past one year under his tenure after inaugurating the Centre for Student Discourses, a designated place for students to hold protests, on Saturday.

Prof Ravinder said the varsity’s executive council had passed a resolution to regulate all political and related activities in future.

“We haven’t allowed any politician to come to the varsity since May 21 last year. The MLA who approached us to seek permission for Rahul Gandhi’s visit did so with political motives,” he said.

The VC added that PG exams were scheduled on the same day of Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit (May 7), and it was felt that his visit would disturb the

OU Vice Chancellor Prof D. Ravinder and other officials from the varsity address the media during the inauguration of Centre for Student Discourse on Saturday.

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varsity’s academic atmosphere. He said the Centre for Student Discourses at the university would be used to hold seminars, meetings, debates, even demonstrations and other democratic activities.

Prof Ravinder said the space in front of Arts College had become the centre for protests, political activities as well as birthday celebrations during late nights. The centre had been opened to avoid this, he said. The VC said the university administration had been steadily working on a 21-point agenda to improve teaching-learning outcomes, student amenities, infrastructure development and campus beautification initiatives. The university had adopted and implemented the cluster system with nine colleges which would facilitate students pursuing courses in different colleges, he said.

A fund of `2 crore from the government will be used to repair and renovate washrooms for women across the campus. A SHE centre is being planned which caters to the needs of women faculty and girl students for recreation and all-round development.