UGC grant to be used for research projects

KNOW YOUR INSTITUTE/ DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY

University Grant Commission (UGC) has granted 'Centre of Excellence' stature to department of economics of Jadavpur University (JU).

The recognition was the highest stage in UGC's special assistance programme (SAP).

"UGC has approved a grant of Rs 60 lakh spread over next five years after which evaluation will be held for renewal of the status," said Biswajit Chatterjee, dean of the arts and head of the economics department of JU.

The grant will be used research, field surveys, purchase of books and journals and development of building and infrastructure, Ajitava Raychaudhuri, coordinator of SAP and former head of JU's economics department, said.

"This was granted based on contribution in research and publication and academic activities," he added.

The economics departments of Delhi School of Economics (DSE), Gokhale Institute of Pune and University of Mumbai receiving the honour in the 1970s, claimed Chatterjee.

JU's economics department also received a Rs 28 lakh grant under the ASIHSS programme of UGC, becoming one of six such recipients nationally.

The grants from both programmes will be used for a 2000sq.ft. library for research candidates worth around Rs 16 lakh.

The grants will also enable the department to accommodate four post-graduate student from neighbouring states for short duration visit to JU, he added.

In addition, JU was looking at extensive visiting faculty programme for short visits by eminent economists, added Raychaudhuri.