Education ministry seeks explanation from JNU VC for skipping key conference without approval

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education has sought an explanation from Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit regarding her absence at a key conference, according to sources. It was noted that Pandit had skipped the conference of Vice-Chancellors of Central Universities without formal approval, they said.

There was no immediate response from the JNU Vice-Chancellor on the issue. "Her absence was viewed seriously. In such circumstances, Vice-Chancellors are required to take prior approval. There was a conference at JNU coinciding with the Vice-Chancellors' conference. But it should have been kept in mind that the invite for this conference was extended much in advance," a source said.

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The Ministry of Education organised a two-day conference of Vice-Chancellors of Central Universities in Kevadia, Gujarat from July 10-11. The conference, as part of events to mark the five years of implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, brought together heads of Central universities to review institutional progress and collectively shape the path ahead.