The graduating students from SMIMS, SMIT, College of Nursing and College of Physiotherapy will be receiving their degrees on the 10th Convocation of Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) which will be held on 17th November 2010. Dr. Anandakrishnan, Chairman, BOG, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will be the Chief Guest for the day.

Total 527 graduates, 133 post graduates and six PhD scholars will be receiving their degrees on the day. This is the largest number so far within these years and the number of PhD scholars is increasing every year, informed Dr. S.S. Pabla, Vice Chancellor, SMU during a press conference. He also informed that Mr. B.R Subba (SCS), Joint Secretary, Department of Land Revenue, Govt. of Sikkim has taken over as the Registrar of SMU with effect from 13th August 2010.

Speaking about the educational system of the University Dr. Pabla said that the students shall be admitted to M. Phil and PhD through entrance examinations as it has been made mandatory under the new UGC guidelines for PhD. 48 scholars had appeared in the first PhD entrance examinations conducted on 9th August 2010 out of which 46 scholars qualified.

The capacity of the University is better utilized as the increase for MBBS from 50 to 100 per year and intake for B. Sc Nursing from 50 to 100 per year has been approved by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Indian Nursing Council respectively. Along with the increase a new 2years Post Diploma (GNM) B. Sc Nursing Course has also been introduced in the University where both private and Government sponsored students are admitted, added Dr. Pabla. The IAP (Inspection by Indian Association of Physiotherapy) has given approval for starting MPT course with 12seats, out of which 7 seats has been already taken.

He also informed about the SMU Distance Education Convocation. “This kind of Convocation helps the distance students to connect with the University and they don’t feel left out”, said Dr. Pabla. The University has also been conducting various workshops, seminars, conferences etc. which helps the students to enhance and grow their knowledge while exchanging new ideas. Dr. Pabla furthermore acquainted that to contribute to the progress of the State of Sikkim Director Faculty Development, SMU and Basic Sciences Department of SMIT will impart training on teaching of Science and Mathematics to 200 school teachers of the Government of Sikkim during Dec 2010- Jan 2010. This is a residential training and the main focus is to produce more competent teachers in the state.

Talking about the future prospects of the University Dr. Pabla said that already three new initiatives have been taken namely School of Architecture, School of Hotel Management and Institute of Information and Technology. A separate University campus including a School of Humanities and Basic Sciences is under planning. Already SMU has introduced various number of courses therefore keeping that in mind and the increasing number of students every year, two additional plot of land of 4 acres and 12 acres near Ranipool and Rangpo respectively have been taken by the University on a long lease of 99 years. Construction of a new infrastructure has been undertaken to cater to the requirement of next two years. A block of staff quarters and a workshop complex are under construction at SMIT and a block of staff quarters of an intern’s hostel are under construction at SMIMS. A separate University office including an Academic Block for Humanities and Basic Sciences is under planning, concluded Dr. Pabla.

Courtesy: Sikkim Mail

 

Comment