Demand for fund: UGC team inspects Periyar University

An expert team from the University Grants Commission (UGC) has begun the assessment of facilities and academic activities in Periyar University here on Wednesday.

The UGC has sent the team following a proposal from the university seeking funds for development during the XI Five Year plan. University Vice-Chancellor M. Thangaraju welcomed the eight-member team lead by its convenor G.S. Bhalla from the Centre for Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University and briefed about the university, which was accredited with 'B' Plus by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

Mr. Thangaraju told the team members that the university required Rs. 70 crore during the XI Five Year Plan period for the development of the existing departments and 13 new departments.

Facilities The money would be used to construct new buildings, purchase laboratory equipment and learning aids, establish digital library and construct an additional hostel for women. The university, which has 12 departments now, had planned to open new departments for English, Psychology, Sociology, Journalism and Mass Communication, Microbiology and Biotechnology in the current academic year. The university required about Rs. 1.2 crore for the establishment of these new departments. It would also add seven more departments in the coming year, he said. The university required Rs. 3.73 crore from the UGC for the construction of buildings for its constituent college in Mettur and establishment and development of the Centre for Nanotechnology and the Centre for Solar Energy, the Vice-Chancellor said. Works Later, the team members inspected the facilities and academic activities carried out by various departments and interacted with the faculty. The team inspected the works taken up with the funds allotted during the X Five Year plan period.

Demand for fund: UGC team inspects Periyar University