‘Chancellor’s Medal’ to Be Introduced at Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur Universities

Students at three major state universities, the University of Mumbai, Savitribai Phule Pune University and Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, will now be eligible for a new ‘Chancellor’s Medal’, aimed at recognising excellence beyond academics.

The initiative has been launched at the initiative of Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of state universities Jishnu Dev Varma. On Wednesday, Varma presented representative cheques of Rs 10 lakh each to the vice-chancellors of the three universities at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai to support the initiative.

The Governor said the Chancellor’s Medal should not be restricted to academic achievement alone. It should recognise students’ overall personality, leadership qualities, innovation, achievements in sports and cultural activities, social commitment and exceptional contributions to their university.

He directed the universities to establish transparent and merit-based criteria for selecting recipients of the medal.

The initiative aims to promote healthy competition among students, encourage them to set higher goals and motivate them to strive for excellence. According to the Governor’s Secretary, Dr Prashant Narnavare, the medal is intended to become a symbol of excellence across classrooms, laboratories, sports grounds, cultural platforms, social service and innovation.

Focus on Industry-Academia Collaboration

Governor Varma also stressed the need for universities to work more closely with industry in view of the changing nature of employment.

He called for greater alignment between academic curricula, skill development, internships, apprenticeships, research and innovation and the needs of industry and the wider economy.

The Governor also emphasised the importance of ensuring that students have basic knowledge of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, cybersecurity, cloud computing and green technology.

At the event, Varma also launched the ‘Institute of Higher and Digital Learning: Industry-Academia Collaboration for Improving Employability’ initiative.

Universities Urged to Take Part in Social Initiatives

The Governor has also promoted three initiatives involving universities across Maharashtra, the TB-Free Maharashtra campaign, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, and the preservation and revival of the state’s disappearing arts and traditional heritage.

He said universities are not merely centres of education but also have a wider responsibility towards society. He urged institutions to become active partners in these initiatives.

Dr Narnavare said the Chancellor’s Medal initiative was inspired by a similar programme launched by Varma when he served as Governor of Telangana. After assuming office as Maharashtra Governor, Varma had expressed his intention to introduce the initiative across the state’s universities.