University of Rajasthan : An Overview
University of Rajasthan is a vibrant community of scholars who stand in the service of Rajasthan and that of the country as a whole.
The University of Rajasthan is the oldest institution of higher learning in Rajasthan. It was established on 8th January, 1947, as the University of Rajputana with the main objective of disseminating knowledge and catering to the needs of the students of Rajasthan. It had jurisdiction over the entire state. In the year 1956, the Rajputana University was renamed as the University of Rajasthan, keeping intact its enveloping jurisdiction. With the successive creation of other universities, its affiliating jurisdiction has come down, but it is still the hub of Higher Education in Rajasthan paving the way for the other universities. It attracts students from all over Rajasthan and other parts of India and abroad.
University of Rajasthan is a multi-faculty University and is recognized under 2f and 12B of U.G.C since its inception. It has 36 Post Graduate Departments, 15 recognized Research Centers ,6 Constituent Colleges and 500 Affiliated Colleges spanning 6 districts. The location of the University is Urban and its Central Campus is spread over 285.50 acres and the satellite campus, comprising the Constituent Colleges, is spread over 149.53 acres.
The Goals and Objectives
v Excellence in Education and Research
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To create, preserve & disseminate knowledge
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To impart higher education with quality and social relevance
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To inculcate amongst students a sense of discipline and dedication
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To pursue high quality research in diverse fields
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To give priorities to studies of frontier problems concerning national economy, social development and defense
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To emphasis interdisciplinary research
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To establish academic links and scientific cooperation with national and international institutions
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To create and strengthen of infrastructure through R&D projects
The University aims to impart higher education with quality and social relevance. It provides academic and research facilities in various streams to the students studying in University Departments, university Constituent Colleges and Affiliated Colleges/Institutions. University of Rajasthan offers 37 Ph.D. Programs, 20 M.Phil courses, 48 Master degree courses, and 14 Bachelor degree courses. Besides focusing on dissemination of knowledge and search for excellence in teaching and research, the University prepares the students as good future citizens and endeavors to inculcate amongst them a sense of discipline and dedication. The University is transforming its curricular activities keeping in view the recent trends of development.
The University generates cost effective resources to achieve financial self-sufficiency. Self financing courses are offered both at U.G. and P.G. level. Being both teaching and affiliating University, it ensures equitable distribution of facilities for higher education in different parts of the state under its jurisdiction.
The University encourages its teachers to undertake research activities and gives financial support to attend seminars and workshops. Financial grants are also given for Organizing Conferences. Interdisciplinary approach and collaborative research are being encouraged to achieve excellence in education.
The Teaching Units
The University of Rajasthan consists of the following components:
(a) Constituent Colleges
(b) Post -graduate Teaching Departments
(c) Research Centers
(a) Constituent Colleges
Undergraduate teaching is imparted in the 6 constituent colleges of the University, by the teaching faculty appointed in the University Post Graduate Departments:
(i) University Commerce college (Commerce Faculty)
(ii) University Law College (Law Faculty)
(iii) University Evening Law College (Law Faculty)
(iv) University MaharaniÂ’s college (Multi-faculty College for Women)
(v) University MaharajaÂ’s College ( Science Faculty)
(vi) University Rajasthan College (Arts and Social Sciences)
Looking to the needs and demands of students, the University started evening courses at Rajasthan College and Commerce College on self-financing basis.
All the constituent colleges provide library and sports facilities and motivate the students to join NCC and NSS programmes. Besides these, the colleges organize seminars, workshops, lectures and discussions to strengthen academic inputs.
(b) The P.G. Teaching Departments
37 P.G. Teaching Departments are in existence in faculties of Arts, Science, Social Science, Commerce, Law, Management, Fine Arts, Education and Library Science. Admissions to the P.G. Courses offered are based on entrance tests and merit. Some of the P.G. Departments run need-based self-financing courses also. Many eminent scholars have been teachers at the P.G. Departments. The well-known personalities include : Professors Raja Chelliah, Raj Krishna, L.S. Ramaswami, C.V. Subramaniam, M.V. Mathur, P.N. Srivastava, R.K. Kaul, R.C. Mehrotra, Yogendra Singh, G. Ranganathan, Satish Chandra, Dayakrishna, Om Prakash, Iqbal Narain, G.C. Pande, B.L.Saraf, S.Loknathan, S.P.Verma, C.P.Bhambhri, V. R. Mehta, Y.K.Alagh, C.Rangarajan etc.
Research support and Special Assistance have been made available to some departments by the UGC. A couple of departments are actively engaged in innovative research, and they are recognized for the FIST, COSIST and DST DAAD programmes of the University Grants Commission and the DST. The researches done by the faculty members have been in evidence by publications of articles in reputed journals. Some teachers have been honoured with international and national awards and citations.
Depending upon the disciplinary advancement, needs of the students and the demands of society, syllabi have been reviewed from time to time. The process of globalization, has also prompted formulation of new courses and this may go a long way in providing jobs to the students. Some of the new courses are as follows: –
The post-graduate courses include:
(i) Biotechnology
(ii) Microbiology
(iii) Information Technology
(iv) Journalism and Mass Communication
(v) Finance Control
(vi) Management
The under-graduate courses are:
(vii) Computer Applications
(viii) Business Administration
(ix) Fine Arts
(x) Film Production and Technology
(xi) Food Technology
(c) Research Centers
The University also provides opportunities to the deserving students and teachers to undertake research in the fields of their specialization. For this purpose, Research Centers were established. These research centers have strengthened research, and some of them offer M. Phil Programmes of study. The following Centers are in existence:
1. Centre for Development of Physics Education*
2. Indira Gandhi Centre for Human Ecology, Environmental and Population Studies*
3. Centre for Gandhian Studies*
4. South Asia Studies Centre*
5. Centre for Women Studies
6. Social Science Research Centre
7. Centre for Jain Studies
8. Centre for Rajasthan Studies
9. Centre for Adult and Continuing Education
10. Centre for Local-Self Government
11. Centre for Non-Conventional Energy Resources
* Status of Teaching Department
Teaching Learning and Evaluation
Aims of Teaching
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To develop an understanding of and skills in various modes of inquiry and of critical thinking and problem solving
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To provide a supportive environment
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To develop and demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the rich complexity of human experience in terms of both its convergence and divergence
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To develop and demonstrate an informed sense of thoughtful ethical choice and concerned community involvement
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To inspire students to explore accurate and useful knowledge
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To expand and enrich learning of students with a view to advance knowledge
The University allocates majority of its budget for academic programs. Students are admitted either on the basis of entrance test or merit. Many departments and all the Constituent Colleges have their own library in addition to the Central Library. Modern teaching methods and teaching aids are employed for effective teaching involving blending of teaching techniques to suit specific needs of a course (interactive participation of students, tutorials, brainstorming sessions, case studies, collaborative learning and active learning strategy). The emphasis is given on problem solving and skills in critical- thinking.
Evaluation of the students is done on an objective basis. Examiners and Co-examiners are appointed for this purpose by the respective BOS. The method of evaluation has undergone changes recently to accommodate new trends. Opportunity for re-evaluation is also given to the students.Question papers are set by senior faculty members and the external examiners appointed by the Board of Studies. University adheres to the academic calendar and the results are declared within a month of the last examination.
Research , Consultancy and Extension
All faculty members are actively involved in research. They are guiding research in their respective disciplines. Besides this, teachers are publishing their articles / research papers in reputed national and international journals. Many faculty members of the University are working on research projects. There are more than one thousand full time research scholars registered for Ph.D. and Post Doctoral Work and a few of them are getting fellowships and scholarships.
There are 81 ongoing Research Projects with an outlay of Rs. 8 Crores. More than 2700 Research Papers and more than 250 Books have been published in the last five years. International linkages and collaborative programs with research institutes and Universities from countries such as USA, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, Canada, Japan, UK, Norway, Sweden, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Finland and France. Academic links and collaborations at National level exist with research support by several agencies such as UGC, DST, DAE, DRDO, ICSSR, CSIR, ICHR, ICAR and ICMR. University Teachers have served as Hony. Editors of several journals of high standing. A few University PG departments publish journals of their own on a regular basis.
The Support Services in the University
To strengthen teaching and research, support services are being provided by the University. The University has one of the best university libraries in India. It has nearly 3.33 lakh books, hundreds of journals, microfilms, and magnificent archival documents. Photostating and internet access are also made available at the library. The library also provides inter-library loan facility to its members.
The University has a modern Sports Complex. It has also a swimming pool, which has been a venue of many National Swimming Meets. The University has always accorded a high priority to games and sports. Facilities for all major indoor and outdoor games are available at the Constituent Colleges as well. Fully developed indoor stadium along with a yoga centre are the unique attractions of the Sports Complex. Besides this, the Department of Physical Education has started a postgraduate diploma and a masters’ programme in Physical Education.
The University provides Allopathic, Ayurvedic, and Homeopathic facilities at its Health Center. Medicines are provided free of cost. Health checkups are arranged from time to time. Blood donation camps are also organized . Consultation is also available to the outsiders.
A Students Advisory Bureau exists since 1962 with the motto: “We do not believe in framing the future for next generation, rather we wish to frame the next generation for the future.”
Residential accommodation is provided to the teachers and the Students. The university has 16 hostels, 9 for boys, 7 for girls. The University is going to construct two hostels one for SC girls and other for SC boys with 45% assistance from the ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with a cost of Rs. 5 crores. Besides hostels, there are Teachers Hostel, Working Women Hostel and faculty residences located at the main campus. Some residences are for the non-teaching employees as well. The University has an eco-friendly environment. The nursery-cum-garden office of the university looks after lawns and parks. The university has nursery which has some rare plants and shrubs.
In order to stimulate and coordinate various activities of the students the Dean of Students’ Welfare is provided grants and facilities. The Dean, Students Welfare, is also Advisor of International Students.
The University has also an Academic Staff College which was set-up by the UGC in 1988 for an overall development of young university and college teachers. The ASC organizes Refresher and Orientation Programmes. The Refresher Courses are discipline-specific, whereas the Orientation Programmes are interdisciplinary. The later aims to enhance over all intellectual worth of the teacher. The ASC is ranked one of the first ten best Academic Staff Colleges of India.
University Service and Instrumentation Center is also functioning. The center has an adequate workshop under its control with facilities for mechanical (Lathe machines, Milling Machines etc.), glass blowing, electronics, welding, and gas filling shops and an analytical instrument sections. The center houses costly instruments such as (1) Semiautomatic X-Ray Diffractometer DIANO (USA) make, (2) Phillips Liquid Nitrogen Plant with 6 liter per hour capacity.
The University has established a UGC Infonet Center which coordinates all the activity of UGC Infonet Project at University of Rajasthan end. The centre will further distribute and maintain the internet connectivity over Campus Wide Area Network making it available to constituent colleges, teaching departments, research centers, and administrative units. The Center maintains and host University Website and Mail-server. The center will also coordinate and maintain Intranet of University when it comes up.
The University has a Press. It looks after the requirements of the university. It is being modernized with assistance from UGC during the tenth plan.
The Guest House of the university is well maintained. It is the pride of the University. Recently it was expanded with seven rooms.
Healthy Practices in the University
Strict adherence is observed to the Academic Calendar formulated for each year by the Academic Council
National and International Seminars, Lectures and Workshops are regularly organized and faculty members are given all possible financial and academic backup to participate in such events at both the National and International levels. Eminent Scholars come to the University as visiting faculty.
Statutory bodies like the Senate, the Syndicate, the Academic Council, the Faculties, the Research Board, the Boards of Studies are regularly in their meetings and both vibrant and vigilant in their deliberations.
The University examination system is now fully computerised. The results of the entrance examinations are declared within twenty four hours.
The University Press looks after the printing requirements of the University. During the Xth Plan, it is being modernized.
To provide financial assistance to the needy students, a University Corpus Fund has been created.
To ameliorate the grievance of every strata of University Community a standing mechanism has been evolved wherein three separate Grievance Committees function on a continuing basis.
The University of Rajasthan has been striving with fullest commitment to uphold the Hand Book and to sincerely implement the rules and regulations provided therein.
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