Rama Krishna Sangem
Telangana Council of Higher Education chairman Prof V Balakrishna Reddy has called for academic excellence and competitiveness among the higher education institutions in the state. Only by adopting higher standards as bars, the institutions can expect to figure in the national ranking framework, an annual exercise by the Government of India.
Prof Reddy was participating as the chief guest at a one day national workshop conducted jointly by Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University and Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) on the National Institutional Ranking Framework at the Telangana Horticultural University administrative building on August 11, Monday, said a press release from the university.
Prof. D Raji Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, SKLTGHU in his presidential remarks emphasized the importance of institutional ranking and quality enhancement in higher education. The programme was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including the Vice-Chancellors of Telangana state universities.
The event began with the inauguration of the Extended University Library by Prof. Balakista Reddy. On this occasion, the “MyLOFT” Mobile App (My Library on Finger Tips) was launched to provide students and faculty easy digital access to library resources.
The workshop featured an in-depth presentation on NIRF methodology and best practices by Dr. K. Veeranjaneyulu, Consultant and expert on NIRF ranking. Inadequate international and national collaborations, gaps in graduate employability and placement data, need for improvement in faculty-student ratio and faculty qualifications and limited outreach and inclusivity initiatives reflected in ranking parameters are to be addressed in securing good NIRF ranking, he added.
Further, workshop suggested to encouraging faculty and researchers to publish in SCI/Scopus indexed journals with higher citation impact, strengthening research and innovation ecosystems through funded projects, incubation centers, and patent facilitation, establishing international collaborations for student exchange, joint degrees, and collaborative research and enhancing placement activities, industry tie-ups, and alumni engagement, the workshop hinted.
Many VCs were present
Prominent attendees included Prof. E. Purushotham, Vice-Chairman, TGCHE; Prof. Sriram Venkatesh, Secretary, TGCHE; Prof. T. Kishen Kumar Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, JNTU; Prof. Khaja Althaf Hussain, Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University; Prof. G.N. Srinivas, Vice-Chancellor, Palamuru University; Prof. M. Gnana Prakash, Vice-Chancellor, PV Narsimha Rao Veterinary University; Prof. Nanda Kumar Reddy, Vice-Chancellor, Kaloji Narayan Rao University of Health Sciences; along with Deans, Registrars, Assistant Registrars, University Librarians, Directors of IQAC of Telangana State Universities, SKLTGHU University Officers, Dr. A. Bhagwan, Registrar, Dean of Horticulture and Dean of Student Affairs Dr. J. Cheena participated.
