Understand the problem thoroughly instead of hushing for a solution

Dr. Tankeshwar Kumar, Vice- Chancellor, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology

Principally a teacher, a researcher and a social worker who went on to do administration for the sake of helping students, born in a family of a railway clerk and educated in rural Haryana, Dr. Tankeshwar Kumar acquired the position of UGC Professor at Panjab University and Vice- Chancellor of two State Government Universities of Haryana.

He has been a Research Leader and Associate at International Centre of Theoretical Physics, Italy for seven years and has to his credit, more than 130 research papers of high impact factor. His first job was as lecturer in H.P. University, Shimla, after which he shifted to Panjab University as lecturer and held various positions including Reader, Director and UGC Professor.

Dr. Tankeshwar believes that the very role of education is to make human being a useful member of the society, one with a positive personality and moral values. Sincerity, dedication and hard work are important parameters on the basis on which individuals, institutions and country can grow. More importantly a moral connection and zeal of competitiveness among individuals is desired. He is passionately working to transform the youth to true nationalists, a scientist or a technocrat.

An aspirant for research in science using mathematics, he holds a Bachelors in Science from Mukand Lal National College, Yamuna Nagar, Masters in Physics from Panjab University, Chandigarh and Ph.D in theoretical physics from Panjab University in addition to doctoral research from Trieste, Italy.

Team ABT reached out to Dr. Tankeshwar to share insights from his professional journey here.

What led you to choose education management as a profession?
I have always been interested in contributing towards management of education and its support services so as provide best of facilities and education to students. I have always been looking for the opportunities or responsibilities where I could possibly contribute more to the education management. This passion has resulted in taking risk with my own academic career. However, I ensured that I continued carrying out my academic activities along with administrative work. In fact, my academic pursuit has helped me to manage academic institute in a superior manner.

Tell us about Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology and its reach so far.
Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology offers a wide range of job-oriented and professional courses at Under-graduate and Post-graduate level, besides intensified research programmes leading to the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in diverse disciplines. Today the university stands like a rock on 372 acres of lush green land with 18 Teaching Departments classified in 7 Faculties for coordinated teaching in particular and effective governance in general. The University at present offers 45 Regular Programmes on Campus and over 17 Programmes through Distance Mode.

The University ranks 24th among all Universities/Institutions of India engaged in Higher Education, by National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of Human Resource Development and is the first Technical University of the Country to be placed among the first 25 Universities of Country. Its ‘h’ index is as high as 65 which shows the quality of research we engage in.

Do you find any difference in the education in your time and today?
Certainly, there are lots of differences, specially at the graduate and higher level. Previously, a large fraction of the students, pursuing higher education were able to do justice to their course of study. But at present, situation is reversed. It may be due to availability of ample opportunities for admissions into large number of available professional Colleges. Many students who take their admissions for granted are not able to meet standards and cope up with the course. Moreover, students are exposed to huge advancement in communication technology which makes it all the more difficult. Those who want to take advantage, equip themselves with technology but a huge section get distracted which makes the gap wider and results in increasing unemployable graduates.

What is the most important piece of advice would you give to the youngsters
I would like to tell youngsters that life should be taken more seriously and there is no need to go for any shortcuts. One must spend enough time to plan, work hard and achieve. Planning is very essential. Spend time to understand the problem you come across rather than hushing in for its solution. Once you understand the problem you will be able to find the right solution. Lastly, it is your hard work that will never go waste.

What would you like to achieve in the coming years?
I would like to help more and more people around me whether students, employees or other needy people. I would like to make students employable and make employees useful members of organizations. Holding a position of Vice Chancellor is the highest academic position that one can reach but it is not the end. It could be beginning to a position where I could contribute more to education or to any other service of my country.