‘Will work closely with cops to ensure women’s safety on campus’

LUCKNOW: A day after taking charge as the first woman proctor of the Lucknow University, professor Nishi Pandey worked to a packed schedule, as she held rounds of meetings with members of the proctorial board to review the deteriorating law and order situation on the campus. Hindustan Times spoke to her about her action plan on how she will handle the pressure and stop campus hooliganism that has once again raised its ugly head since the beginning of this academic session. Excerpts: After having taken charge, how will you manage and bring peace back on campus? Hooliganism and violence have been the handiwork of just a handful of students who have been identified and we will use every possible method to convince them to mend their ways. This will include counselling and stringent action against habitual offenders. Peace was restored on the campus on Wednesday and we hope to sustain it. I have had discussions with the students sitting on dharna and I am confident that we can persuade them to call off the agitation. How will you ensure the safety of women on the campus?

All students must feel safe on the campus and the same security measures will be put in place for both. Girls too must learn to look after themselves not just on the campus but even on the streets. Being a woman I understand the issues of fear and uncertainty that grips the mind of the girls. As a woman proctor I hope to initiate special programmes/ trainings / counselling/ participatory session to instill greater confidence and courage in them so that they are better equipped to face the world. After all how long can we or the family protect them? What about re-opening of women police outpost that has been closed for many years?

We will work closely work with the police to see what measures can be put into place to streamline the security issues of female students. While I don’t think we need a woman police outpost, we do need help from the police in addressing issues of women protection. I have been in discussion with the Women Protection Cell of the government to see how we can take this idea forward. What are your top priorities?

I want to reduce the trust deficit between students and the administration, put efficient systems in place for better management by the proctorial board and ensure the participation of students in decision making by inviting meritorious students to join in the deliberations of the proctorial board on important student-related matters. What according to you are the biggest challenges for you?

To make the hostels more secure for students by re-introducing the system of hostel discipline committees with students as members in the boys hostels and ensure its sustainability. I also want to make the university and hostels a safe place for the students and motivate the rowdy elements to turn towards academics and have student leaders take initiatives to ensure this.