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Making a surprise visit on Friday, District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S.M. observed an enormous shortage of students at Shri Lal Bahadur Higher Secondary School at Punpun block, and it had grave doubts regarding the discipline of students as well as school management.

In his tour, the DM witnessed a gigantic number of students absent from their schools. On closer observation, it was found that most of them were attending private coaching classes in regular school hours—a violation that not only disqualifies the official schooling system but also raises questions about the authority of school administrations in ensuring students' attendance.

Acting swiftly, the DM ordered the re-deployment of the Block Education Officer (BEO) and made the officer personally responsible for the lack of monitoring and enforcement of student attendance. He also ordered the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Masaurhi to conduct regular inspections school to school in the area to impose regulation and discourage such occurrence in the future.

This episode has again placed in the limelight the increasing trend among Bihar students—and among other regions of India—of giving more priority to private coaching over standard school education. Despite government initiatives to enhance the quality of teacher availability and facilities in government schools, the popularity of coaching centers indicates towards issues of a deeper nature like the perceived inefficacy of classroom pedagogy, teacher non-availability, and absence of accountability.

The quick action of the district administration conveys one loud message to education administrators and institutions as well: no monkeying around with the academic integrity of students, and school timing has to be held as inviolate.

As Bihar strives to enhance its education sector, this incident highlights the need for an urgent overhaul of the system, greater supervision, and improved communication between schools, students, and parents to build a new faith in the public school system.

In a significant step likely to re-engineer the research ecosystem in India's state universities, Bangalore University (BU) has been nominated as a nodal centre for the prestigious Prime Minister Professorship Programme under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

The appointment is not just a symbolic victory. It marks a strategic drive to give historically under-endowed institutions strong research capability and visionary leadership. The PM Professorship scheme has been specifically instituted to close the gap between first-class institutes and state-owned universities by integrating high-quality scientists in the local environment.

As part of this initiative, a distinguished researcher will be hired as a Prime Minister Professor at BU. He or she will not only conduct innovative, translational research in priority areas of the nation but also advise faculty and students, generating ripple effects that can lift the university's overall academic and research climate.

The program carries hefty financial support. The fellow professor will be provided a ₹30 lakh fellowship annually, in addition to another ₹24 lakh as an annual research grant. BU itself will be provided an overhead grant of ₹1 lakh annually to facilitate institutional logistics. The fellowship period lasts five years, providing time as well as resources for effective impact.

Whereas top-tier institutions have long dominated India's R&D scene, this appointment is a paradigm shift — acknowledging that innovation needs to be decentralized. With Bangalore University's variegated student population and state-wide academic reach, the appointment has the potential to encourage a new generation of researchers in Karnataka and beyond.

This is not only an investment in a person or an institution, but also a step towards democratization of research excellence in India's academic landscape. For BU, it is a turning point — an opportunity to break away from being a teaching-centric institution and become a research-centric one, directly adding to India's scientific, social, and technological progress.

Bollywood movies like Yaariyan(2014), Main Hoon Na (2004), Student of the Year (2012), and Jagga Jasoos(2017) have already created a college fantasy for almost every 20s kid. If you are someone from this club and are looking for a College that stands between hills and is surrounded by the cozy Pahaadi vibes, the Alakh Global Shimla University might be the one for you. The list does not just end there. The APG Shimla University offers trained and professional faculty, attractive packages, and a high placement rate of around 60% annually, along with the course you are searching for. 

What makes APG Shimla University the perfect learning center?

With lush green hills surrounding it, the University sits atop one of the beautiful hills of Shimla, right at the Queen of Hills. Being away from the hustle, bustle, noise, and pollution of the mid-city environment makes it the ideal learning center. The campus not only offers a scenically satisfying environment but also one that brings peace of mind to its students.

The University stands as a self-contained mini-township, a world unto itself. Its sprawling campus is adorned with every infrastructural facility that a University needs to give an ideal learning hub for its students, offering a vibrant environment where students can thrive. The campus spans an area of 44 acres. The pharmacy labs exemplify innovation and modernity, offering students hands-on training and research opportunities with cutting-edge instrumentation. 

Students also have access to a state-of-the-art gymnasium, promoting physical well-being alongside academic pursuits. The technologically advanced IT Labs give the students access to the latest computing resources, empowering them to innovate and excel in a digital landscape. The Media Studio gives birth to extraordinary talents in the field of Media that go on to achieve great milestones. Additionally, the allure of Shimla itself serves as an advantage, offering students the opportunity to explore its rich cultural heritage, engage in adventure sports, and appreciate its scenic beauty, thereby enriching their overall university experience.

The University has a total of 10 departments/schools- School of Allied and Healthcare Science, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, School of Pharmacy, Engineering and Technology, School of Sciences, School of Management and Commerce, School of Legal Studies & Research, School of School of Media & Mass Communication, School of Design and School of Humanities. In addition to that, the University has a 60% placement rate along with internship support and training programs. 

APG Shimla University received this prestigious award for its excellence in vocational and technical education, particularly for seamless digital transition via software like Editch during the COVID‑19 lockdowns—underscoring its commitment to skill-based learning. From July 7–11, 2025, the university hosted a week-long FDP titled "Emerging Trends in Higher Education Policy: Shaping the Future of Learning and Innovative Research", gathering 60 faculty, department heads, and expert academics to align teaching practices with NEP‑2020 guidelines and strengthen research-focused pedagogy. 

Considering all the aspects that the APG Shimla University has, this might be exactly what you are looking for. The exposure that this University offers, along with the courses, modern classrooms, advanced laboratories, and the enriching educational environment, makes it the best option for students who are looking to grow and excel both in their field of study and life.

By Jishnu Mukherjee 

India will break new ground and become the world's second-best represented country, after the US, in the 2026 Times Higher Education ranking, Times Higher Education Chief Global Affairs Officer Phil Baty said.

The remarks were made by Baty in a statement to mark the fifth anniversary of the new National Education Policy (NEP).

"In the world rankings 2026, to be released at the World Academic Summit on 8 October this year, India will set new records to emerge as the second best represented country in the world after the US. So the figures make it clear that India's universities are rubbing shoulders more and more with the global research elite of the world.".

"But on a different, and quite distinct, set of performance measures based on their social and economic impact, India's universities are also beginning to truly excel," he stated.

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (re-launched for 2026 as Sustainability Impact Ratings) gauge the social and economic impact of universities against their contributions to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Universities are measured on their education, research, community engagement and stewardship of resources through hundreds of metrics across all 17 of the UN SDGs.

Baty wrote that the National Education Policy of 2020 in India was so innovative and so ambitious that several claimed at its introduction five years ago that it was just too ambitious to work. ".but exactly five years since the NEP 2020 was officially launched, there is a body of independent evidence accruing which, in spite of the dramatic pandemic disruption caused by COVID, the ambitious vision is now becoming a reality at rapid speed.".

"Indeed, when it comes to ambitions to enhance the quality of higher education and to finally adopt full internationalisation of Indian higher education, Times Higher Education data are unambiguous -- the plans are paying off," he stated.

In 2019, the year before NEP2020, India had 49 universities in the rankings – a share of around four per cent of all ranked universities. In the 2026 edition, India's representation will have almost tripled to 128 ranked universities, representing nearly six per cent of all ranked universities.

"This outstanding achievement is an expression of a country-wide commitment by Indian universities to gather improved data, to come forward and put themselves up to global data benchmarking, to place themselves on the international stage with the world's leading research universities -- and most importantly to become an observable and active member of the global higher education community, where research partnership and talent exchange can assist them to excel even more.".

"And it is not only in representation that India is making outstanding gains. There is also a quality improvement. So the evidence is clear that India's universities are rubbing shoulders with the world's leading research elite. But according to a further, quite different set of performance indicators based on their social and economic contribution, India's universities are beginning to shine as well," he stated.

The Madhya Pradesh government has disclosed that 74 per cent of sanctioned posts for Assistant Professors in government universities are lying vacant. Out of 1,069 sanctioned posts in 17 government universities, 793 posts are vacant.

The revelation was made in a written response by Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar to a question raised by Congress MLA Sanjay Uike in the Assembly. The response uncovers the staggering magnitude of faculty shortage, revealing the crumbling academic infrastructure of the state.

More revealing is the fact that five government universities in the state have not even one Assistant Professor on their rolls. These are: Raja Shankar Shah University (Chhindwara), Krantiveer Tatya Tope University (Guna), Kranti Surya Tantya Bhil University (Khargone), Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University (Chhatarpur), Rani Avantibai Lodhi University (Sagar).

This means that thousands of students are studying in institutions without even one full-time assistant professor to guide them.

As per the reply by the minister, 93 academic disciplines are being conducted in different universities that have absolutely no assistant professors. Presently, only 276 Assistant Professors are teaching students in all 17 universities.

Interestingly, this crisis is not exclusive to faculty positions. BJP MLA, Dr Chintamani Malviya, asked the minister about vacancies for librarians in government colleges. The government conceded that out of 582 sanctioned vacancies for librarians, only 236 are occupied, while 346 posts are vacant.

Over the past few years, the government has established a number of new universities in great fanfare with ribbon-cutting ceremonies and grand announcements. But these institutions are now gasping under administrative lack of care and staff complacency. 

Campuses are present only in name without teachers, without facilities, and without the educational leadership to mold the minds of the coming generations.

Since its establishment in 2015 in the educationally rich city of Vadodara, Gujarat, Parul University has emerged as one of the fastest-growing private multidisciplinary universities in India. The university stands out as a clear leader in inclusive, future-oriented education, offering a comprehensive academic ecosystem that spans diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD research, and value-added programs — all integral to the education landscape of the Vadodara region.

Driving Innovation and Research Excellence

What sets Parul University apart is not only its size and accreditations but its strong emphasis on innovation and research. Guided by a clear vision, the university has created a multi-dimensional ecosystem focused on technology development, capacity building, community welfare, and global entrepreneurial partnerships — empowering students and faculty to innovate across diverse fields.

Parul University serves as a model of vigorous learning, research excellence, and social responsibility, preparing students not just for careers, but to lead during times of disruptive change.

Micro-Nano Research & Development Centre: Pioneering Applied Science

Launched in 2024, the Micro-Nano Research & Development Centre stands as one of Parul University’s major research initiatives. Funded under the Gujarat State Industrial Policy, which supports advancements in micro and nanotechnologies, this centre focuses on materials science and prototyping with practical applications. It reflects the university’s ambitious drive to push the frontiers of applied research.

SSIP 2.0 Innovation Grant: Empowering Student Innovators

The Parul Institute of Engineering & Technology received ₹1.8 crores in funding from the Government of Gujarat’s Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) 2.0. This unprecedented grant provides ₹40 lakhs over five years for students to access prototyping facilities, patent conversion, and pre-incubation support. This initiative firmly positions Parul University as a hotbed for young entrepreneurs and problem solvers.

Health & Technology Innovations: Blending Wellness with Science

Parul University demonstrates that science and wellness can combine to create societal impact through two notable initiatives:

Patent for Alcohol-Free Herbal Hand Sanitizer

Faculty researchers developed an alcohol-free herbal hand sanitizer made with cinchona and aloe vera extracts. This innovative product is skin-friendly, bactericidal, and offered in four natural scents. It has been patented by the Government of India as an eco-safe alternative to traditional alcohol-based sanitizers, showcasing Parul University’s commitment to sustainable health solutions.

10-Day Yoga Samavesh Programme

In June 2025, Parul University organized a 10-day Yoga Samavesh programme in collaboration with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (Ministry of AYUSH). The programme focused on countering diabetes through therapeutic yoga, lifestyle counseling, and wellness talks aligned with International Yoga Day 2025’s theme "One Earth, One Health." This initiative reflects the university’s dedication to holistic health education.

Collaborations and Social Impact

Parul University actively collaborates with government and civic bodies to address social challenges. A recent MoU signed with IIT Mandi aims to yield socially relevant outcomes by combining neuroscience with Ayurveda and Vedic perspectives. The university’s Brain & Behaviour Lab fosters interdisciplinary research for such outcomes.

Additionally, the university operates a Social Responsive Cell focused on rural community development. Initiatives like Killol Vidhyamandir (a street school near railway platforms), Sukanya Samriddha Yojna (bank accounts for girls), and BaL Milan cultural events reinforce PU’s commitment to social inclusion and empowerment.

Education Beyond the Classroom

The university's motto, “Be Here, Be Vibrant,” embodies its vision of an engaged, vibrant academic community on its multicultural campus. Combining academic excellence, research leadership, social engagement, and a global outlook, Parul University develops well-rounded individuals ready to lead in tomorrow’s world.

Whether pioneering patented healthcare technologies, collaborating with premier institutes like IIT Mandi, or empowering rural India through socially relevant projects, Parul University continues to redefine higher education — where learning meets action, and education transcends the classroom.

By Ananya Awasthi