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Introduction
The fertile soil on the banks of the Sangam confluence of Ganga,
Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati rivers was chosen by the God's
messenger Sam Higginbottom to plant an agricultural educational
institution in the form of a Christian Institute for Rural Life 98
years ago in 1910. His vision, imagination, meticulous planning, the
leadership he gave to his associates and subordinates, the services
and loving care of his life partner Ethelind Higginbottom along with
the willing, selfless work of numerous teachers and researchers and
other skilled persons made that Institution a beehive of activity
over the decades. Departments and Units of diverse disciplines were
added from time to time to educate and train thousands of young men
and women who lived and learned on that campus to go out into the
world, to transform the lives of farmers, plants, and animals. These
processes will complete 100 years in two years' time in 2010 when
our University will celebrate its centenary. Let us join to make it
a memorable occasion.
Eleventh Five Year Plan
We have to take note of the fact that now our nation is
implementing the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The Five Year Plans
initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Fifties for national
development have been a significant part of independent India's
history. The Tenth Five Year Plan was completed in March, 2007. The
54th meeting of the National Development Council formally approved
on 19 December, 2007 the Eleventh Plan which would run from 2007 to
2012. The plan envisages an investment of about Rs. 36 lakh crores
during the five years aiming at an economic growth rate of 9%, which
may go upto 10% by 2012. The growth rate during the Tenth Plan was
7.6%. In the agriculture sector, targeted growth rate is 4% while it
was 2.13% in the last Plan. The XI Plan seeks to make economic
growth more inclusive, to reduce the poverty and generate over seven
crore employment opportunities. Unemployment among the educated is
proposed to be brought down to below 5%. The allocation for
education has been increased to 9% of the central budgetary support,
which was 8% in the last Plan.
Giving Access to More Students in Higher Education
Our university is a part of the large network of India's higher
education system. Unfortunately only about 9.5% in the relevant age
group receive the benefits of higher education while in developed
nations the average percentage of youth in higher education is 23.2.
Our University is helping in the task of providing higher learning
to more and more young brothers and sisters from those sections of
society, which were so far denied such opportunities, and from those
regions of the nation, which lack such facilities. The formal higher
education system alone cannot fulfill this requirement. There is a
proposal to reach a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 15% by 2015
beginning with the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012). This means
that about 85 million students will have to be added to higher
education, which is possible only if we make use of Open and
Distance Education (ODE) offerings and this will be a great boon to
students who discontinue formal education and also to those students
who are unable to obtain admission in the formal colleges and
universities. As Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the National Knowledge
Commission has said ; "we must realize ODE is not simply a mode of
educational delivery; it is an integrated discipline engaged in the
creation of knowledge". However it is necessary to insist on quality
and excellence in Open and Distance Education with provision for a
separate Assessment and Accreditation Scheme. It is also envisaged
by the educational planners that there should be convergence of
conventional university education and distance learning so that
"learners can move from one system to another".
International Education
Among the recent initiatives taken by our university is
international education. Contacts have been established with
universities in other countries such as USA, Netherlands and the
Scandinavian nations. While more than 80,000 Indian students are now
studying in USA, the number of US students studying in India is only
less than 8000. Many of them are taking only short term courses.
India is unable to attract students from abroad due to the lack of
flexibility and modernity of courses, cumbersome visa procedures,
unsatisfactory hostel facilities, disrupted academic calendar and
the general mediocrity of the majority of our colleges and
universities. This situation has to change and steps are being taken
to strengthen our international education programme which will
impart a cosmopolitan atmosphere to our campus.
Centenary Celebrations
Plans are afoot to celebrate the Centenary of our University in a
befitting manner. Such an occasion which comes only in 100 years is
really historic and the whole university community, alumni, the
general public, Government, national educational agencies and all
other well wishers must work together to make the Centenary not only
a time for remembering and honouring all past leaders but also to
plan for the next couple of decades when the university would branch
out into innovative areas of services. The following proposals among
other things are before us for implementation during the year
2008-09.Republication of the autobiography of Sam Higginbotham in
English and Hindi. Publication of a substantial festschrift (a
volume of learned articles or essays by colleagues and admirers,
serving as a tribute usually on the occasion of an anniversary
celebration) in homage to Sam Higginbotham with well prepared
articles, papers authored by senior, well-recognized leaders,
agricultural scientists and other eminent alumnae from India and
abroad. Establishment of a second campus with provision for
Veterinary Science College, industrial activities such as food
processing, poultry, piggery, dairy culture, bottled water plant and
other innovative ventures. Preparation of a Ten-year Perspective
Developmental plan of the entire institution including Nursing
College, Dental College, Medical College, hospital etc. Improvement
of student amenities on the campus with renovation of hostels,
administrative block etc. Construction of Computer Complex for
simultaneous use by at least 500 students. Setting up of economical
canteens and eating places for students on the campus Satellite
communication facilities for video-conferencing, community radio
station etc. Establishment of a residential school of international
standards. Independent electricity generation facility. Renovation
of the Hayes hospital with modern equipment, beds etc. for giving
adequate medical attention to students. Improvement of the library
and reading rooms.
Welcome to all Learners
We welcome young men, young women and adult life-long learners
to come, sow the seeds of academic work and reap the rich harvest of
excellence, employability and spiritual virtues for holistic growth
from this house of learning.
A Loving Tribute
I cannot end this message without paying a tribute to our dear
son Maneesh Jacob, who was a student of our University and passed
away due to an illness on 5 February, 2007. He was a gentle,
sensitive, affectionate and intelligent young man who valued
friendship and gave his love to everyone. He wanted to be a great
scientist and helper of humanity. In childhood, he played the role
of 'Baby Jesus' in Christmas plays and at the age of 10 his ambition
was to be "Father Theresa". Recently I heard his voice in a dream
"Dad and Mom, you have shed enough tears for me, stop it. Your job
is to wipe the tears of others... ..”
We welcome young men, young women and adult life-long learners
to come, sow the seeds of academic work and reap the rich harvest of
excellence, employability and spiritual virtues for holistic growth
from this house of learning.
Dr. Mani Jacob |
