Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao today proposed the concept of 'Gurukul Dakshina' and appealed to alumni of the Osmania University (OU) to make contributions under alumni donations.
"As we have gathered here to celebrate the centenary of our university, I would like to propose the concept of 'Gurukul Dakshina'.
"The colleges and the university we studied at are like a Gurukul in the modern sense of the term. Therefore, all the alumni should give something back to our Gurukul which has given us so much," the governor, an alumnus of OU, said addressing an 'Alumni Meet' as part of the centenary celebrations of the varsity here.
Alumni donations are a highly-developed tradition all over the world, especially in American universities, he said.
"In 2015, the total endowments of the colleges and universities in USA stood at a staggering USD 37 billion or Rs 2,40,000 crore. Most of these endowments are donations by alumni," Rao said, adding that the alumni donations are used to build the world-class facilities and legacy projects.
"One of the important traditions in American universities which we should emulate in India is that distinguished alumni are given empowered positions in the governance of their alma maters," the governor said.
The 35,000-plus members of the IIT Bombay Alumni Association (IITBAA) are strongly connected to their alma mater and the IITBAA has so far donated over Rs 300 crore to their institute, he added.
"Inspired by the example of the IIT Bombay Alumni Association, the 'Friends of Mumbai University' platform aims at mobilising substantial donations for major developmental activities in the university.
"I am mentioning this here because I strongly believe that Osmania University may also consider establishing a 'Friends of Osmania University' platform to bring together not only its alumni but also its vast network of well-wishers as well as corporate and philanthropic organisations in Hyderabad. Come to Mumbai...I have prepared a blueprint..I will explain to you," Rao said.
Rao had done his Law graduation from the OU.
"Of all universities, I do feel that Osmania University must feature among the top 200 universities in the world.
"As Chancellor, I often attend the convocation ceremonies both in Maharashtra and in Tamil Nadu universities. In at least 8 out of ten cases, the top medals in various streams are won by women students. However, when it comes to the job market, women are distinctly missing," he said.
The governor said there is a shortage of almost 50 per cent of faculty members across the country.
He said the union HRD ministry had formed a Task Force to study the issue of faculty shortage and to suggest ways and means to overcome the same.
"The Task Force, among various suggestions, recommended that women should be encouraged to join the academic profession and take up teaching career and research," he said.
Quoting a survey conducted by an American think-tank covering 22000 publicly-traded companies in over 91 countries, the governor said, "the survey showed that companies employing 30 per cent and more female executives earn more profits...So it makes sound economic sense to employ more women as professors, as members of board and in all other professions. All of us have to become enablers of this transformation".
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