Arunachal University eyes better NAAC score; plans BBA healthcare, BA hospitality, dentistry courses

Ajeya Jha, vice chancellor of Arunachal University of Studies, one of the first private universities in the northeastern state, shares how the university has been catering to the first generation learners of the remote area since 2012. Speaking to Careers360, Jha explains how NAAC follows a very rigid system which then makes universities like his difficult to get a good score. He also spoke about the challenges of NEP implementation. Edited excerpts:

Why was Arunachal Pradesh selected as the state to start the university?

This university basically functions on the concept of Antyodaya, where we believe that the most marginalised people need to be brought up on the economic ladder. If you look at Arunachal Pradesh it has been the last marginalised area. It is even 10 years behind states like Manipur and Nagaland. We came over here because there were absolutely no avenues for people over here. We were the first university to be established in the eastern part of the state. I am also very proud of the fact that 90% of our graduates are first generation graduates.

Since it was established in 2012, how do you view the growth of the university?

It was a very small beginning and initially it was very difficult to survive. There was hardly anything over here. We started with less than 100 students but now we have 4,700 on campus.

We have a very reasonable fee structure. It ranges from Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.1,40,000 for a year. It includes books, and laptops also in some cases. We also provide merit-cum-means scholarships to students and at least 25% to 30% of students are studying on scholarships.

Students in your university are mostly from Arunachal or from other parts of the country as well?

Students mostly are from Arunachal, Assam and other northeastern states. In Arunachal there are 26 major tribes and about 76 minor tribes. They speak different languages and so that diversity is something to be cherished in the university.

We have students from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and northern states as well. We are also very proud of the fact that we have students from Andaman and Nicobar too.

What is the gender ratio of students at the university?

There are more women in our university with the ratio at 55:45. In nursing for example, more than 90% are women; in education as well 70% are women and 30% are men. At PhD level, the ratio should be 50:50.

Are the faculty also mostly from Arunachal or from other states as well?

Faculty wise we have a mini India here. I am from Madhya Pradesh. We have faculty from Kashmir, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and others. 15-20% of our faculty members are from the state. It is a slow beginning, but I am very sure one day we will have someone from Arunachal itself as a vice chancellor. I am looking forward to that day.

Also read Drop in enrolment, student migration: Did Kerala ‘miss the bus’ on private universities?

As the university is preparing for a NAAC visit, how have your grades been?

This is our second NAAC visit. The rating was very poor at the time as we were not aware of the processes and systems. We got a C grade. But this time we are expecting a better one.

But we have to understand that NAAC has a very rigid framework for certifications. You cannot compare us with the central universities in Delhi or other metropolitan cities. It would be unfair. The purpose we are fulfilling is different from that of other universities. But I am happy to say that we are doing quite well.

How has the National Education Policy (NEP) implementation been?

We are very keen to implement NEP. We have already done quite a bit. We have already turned some of the courses into four years. We have also launched multiple exit options. One year masters has also been introduced for those who have completed four years of bachelors.

NEP implementation is a challenge, but not just for us. Even the government of India said that the education budget should be doubled up and made 6% of GDP. They have not been able to achieve that so far. They are struggling, yes it is a challenge.

What do you think has been the major USP of your university?

The USP of this university is the impact on the region. This region is very different today than what it was in 2012. Earlier there were no avenues for employment in this region other than government jobs. Today almost 15-16 resorts have come up, and tourism is growing. Some of the resorts are by our students.

The schools here did not have qualified teachers. But we have an education department where we provide BEd and MEd. Now the schools have qualified teachers.

Special Education is a popular course among our students.

Also read As NEP labs, Maharashtra cluster universities increased courses, seats but await government funds

What kind of research is being carried out at the university?

There is one interesting research taking place with Brahmaputra river. The river is changing its course. One of the geography department students is working on it using the geographical information system. The research is important considering the fact that China wants to build a huge dam on the river. That can have a lot of repercussions.

Some faculty members have studied the lake nearby analysing the water quality. We have people working in the education sector identifying the challenges and constraints in the region. All our research is directly aligned to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) provided by the United Nations.

How has the placement been at the university?

It depends on the course. In nursing it is 100%. Education is good. With management, it has been struggling so far. Pharmacy is also around 60-70%. BA courses are the worst hit.

Does the university have plans to expand and start new courses?

We plan to come up with courses which are skill based. We want to launch a BBA with healthcare and BA hospitality. We have a very good nursing department. We would like to go for dentistry in the near future. We have BPharm, we want to launch MPharm.

Also read Gujarat leads private university boom with 58 new institutes in 15 years; India sees 480% surge

How is the university gearing towards incorporating Artificial Intelligence into the curriculum?

AI is something which will have a pervasive impact.

The way we teach will be affected by AI. Pharmacy, nursing professions are going to be affected too. So that effect has to be understood by our students as they will be entering a world where AI will be the basic factor. We have plans to include it into the curriculum.

Is the university looking at expanding and starting another campus?

We don't have plans for a second campus as of now. It is a possibility in the future as we have some land about 10 kilometres away. We have not really thought about it.

Who are the promoters of the university?

It is promoted by World Mission, a Delhi-based NGO.