K’shetra varsity to approach alumni for contributions
› Officials have been told to prepare a list of former students of the university, who are financially sound and could help the institute at this time of crisis.
PROF KC SHARMA, vice-chancellor
KARNAL: Having bagged A+ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and getting included in Category 1 in the list of top ranking universities, the Kurukshetra University (KU) is now planning to improve its financial condition with the help of its alumni.
A University official privy to the decision told Hindustan Times, “The decision was taken as the university did not have any other way to meet its expenditure, which is around Rs 350 crore, including Rs 150 crore on establishment, comprising salaries and pension.”
“Though the state government has increased its funds and provided around Rs 98 crore, including Rs 60 crore towards the establishment and Rs 38 crore for planned expenditure, this is not sufficient to meet the total expenditure. The university is finding it difficult to generate an additional Rs 90 crore for the establishment,” he added.
When contacted, vice-chancellor Prof KC Sharma said, “Yes, we have taken this decision (to approach alumni for contributions). Officials have been told to prepare a list of former students of the university, who are financially sound and could help the institute at this time of crisis.”
He added, “We will also request the government to increase its grant of funds to help the university provide quality education to students at a cheaper rate.”
The V-C said it was not easy to run the university without required funds. “We cannot increase fees and we do not have any other sources except the government’s funding. That’s why we have decided to approach the alumni,” Prof Sharma said.
“This is not a permanent solution, but this will help for the time being,” he said.
He added a university committee will be taking up the issue and approach the alumni association for donations.
BREAKING INERTIA A CHALLENGE, SAYS VC
The V-C, who has completed two years in the office, said, “Breaking the inertia of the system is still a big challenge as people are not ready to accept the change, but we are working on it”.