A Note from the Vice Chancellor
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A Note from the Vice Chancellor Universities in India have been passing through a critical As we are struggling to conform to the new regime phase of transition onto a new paradigm. This paradigm in education, we cannot afford to be oblivious of the shift is in conformity with the global changes in the cardinal importance of the links in the chain of Information realm of education. Inherent in this exercise, are our →Knowledge →Wisdom in the teaching - learning and basic mandates to enable our Nex Gen students globally research. For, the very essence of education is embedded competitive- ready for a knowledge based society. in this vital linkage. The abilities of critical and rational It hardly needs any reiteration of the enormity of the thinking, creativity, innovation, sense of fairness and scale and extent of the hard work implicit in this move justice, compassion and commitment to the people and the to change. The traditional Annual System of teaching nation, that make a woman or a man a complete human learning is already replaced with the Semester System. being are ingrained in this. In the present Information Age The underlying philosophy in this system shift is to we must ensure that the students do not miss the wood package our teaching modules into quantified units to be for the tree. delivered within defined time limits. The purpose is to The strong imperative is therefore, to imbibe and provide sharper definition of the expected outcome of the absorb new pedagogy (not necessarily within the confines courses. The shift is also meant for creating spaces for of the classroom alone), and evolve novel mechanisms providing the learners with a range of choices of subjects, for effective evaluation of the learning outcomes (not though limited, apart from the core courses. Embedded in through the age old traditional method of conducting the system is also the emphasis on skill acquisition. The examinations). Our failure in this, shall reduce the third key feature is the new strategy for more effective and ‘paradigm shift’ only to a rhetorical exercise. precise evaluation of the learning outcome of the students through Continuous Comprehensive Assessment. The challenges are enormous but not insurmountable. What is required is a radical change in pedagogy involving massive use of ICT. A more apt expression of this paradigm (Alak K. Buragohain) shift therefore would be a ‘Culture Shift’ rather than a mere ‘System Shift’. The DU Gazette < Autumn Issue, 2016 < 3 CAMPUS & COMMUNITY Pomp and Gaiety Mark the 70th Independence Day Celebration Celebration of the 70th Independence the salute in the March-Past. In his country in the world. He fervently Day at Dibrugarh University began Independence Day Address, the appealed to the young students to with a week-long programme from Vice Chancellor recalled the great participate in the nation-building August 9-23, 2016. The main event sacrifice of millions of countryman process whole-heartedly. Referring was held at the University pavilion led by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar to the participation of the group of field from 8.00 a.m. on 15 August, Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru international students studying at the 2016 with a colourful March-Past by and many others during the long University, Professor Buragohain the students of the various academic freedom struggle. He appealed to called upon them to make use the Departments and Centres for Studies, one and all to join him in paying rich unique opportunity to study the students from the University Model tributes to them on this auspicious culture and people of this great land School and from other neighbouring occasion. Professor Buragohain stated while they are pursuing different schools and the Security Staff of that many who were born in the first courses in this University. One of the University. Altogether 34 teams decade after Independence have been the foreign students, Mr. Ejiofar participated in the March-Past. contributing towards realising the Innocentmary Ifedibaluckukwu, from Earlier in the morning, Professor dreams of their free nation. Now, the the Department of Pharmaceutical Alak K Buragohain, Vice Chancellor young generation has to take up many Sciences spoke on the occasion. It hoisted the National Flag and took challenges to make India the best may be mentioned that there is a large The Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University hoisting the tricolour and taking the salute. 4 < The DU Gazette < Autumn Issue, 2016 A foreign student addressing the gathering. March-Past performed by the students of DU Model School. contingent of overseas students from which was applauded by one and all. A separate competition was twelve countries of Africa and Asia A friendly match was held organized for the children of the studying at Dibrugarh University. between the teams of the School of University community on recitation During the programme, the Humanities and Social Sciences and of patriotic poems and speech in the students of the Centre for Studies in the Dibrugarh University Research auditorium of the University. Physical Education and Sports turned Scholars’ Association (DURSA) The Independence Day celebration up with scintillating performances in who earlier entered the final round was attended by more than a thousand Aerobics, Martial Arts (Taekwondo, of Intra-mural and Recreational people, which included members of Karate), Gymnastics and Yoga. The Sports organized jointly by the Sports the faculty, officers and non-teaching members of the Dibrugarh University Board, Centre for Studies in Physical staff, students and people of the Post Graduate Students’ Union and Education and Sports, the Officers’ neighbourhood.+++ the AASU Unit of the University Association and the Employees’ staged a street play on anti-ragging, Association of the University. A few snapshots of the various activities undertaken by the varsity fraternity. The DU Gazette < Autumn Issue, 2016 < 5 Book Release Programme Inauguration of books from the Publication Division by eminent personalities (from L-R : Professor P. K. Bhuyan, Professor Nagen Saikia, Sri Homen Borgohain, Professor Alak Kumar Buragohain and Professor K. D. Hazarika). The Publication Division, Dibrugarh by Dr. Tara Nath Dowarah of the University released its latest Department of Anthropology and publications of five books in an Chandrakumar Agarwala authored by event organized at the Aniruddhadev Dr. Ananda Bormudoi, Department of Bhawan, Department of History at English. Another two books entitled 4.30 pm on August 23, 2016. The Birinchikumar Barua written by function attended by teachers, Professor Satyakam Borthakur, students, research scholars and Department of Assamese and officers of the University was Sri Homen Borgohain delivering his address. Birendrakumar Bhattachrayya written presided over by Professor Alak by Arindam Barkataki, Department of Kumar Buragohain, Vice Chancellor, English, ADP College, Nagaon were Dibrugarh University. Renowned released by Professor Nagen Saikia. writer and journalist of Assam Sri Kalyan Bhuyan’s book titled Nicolaus Homen Borgohain spoke at length Copernicus was released by Professor about the duties and obligations of a Alak Kumar Buragohain. Publication Cell of a University with Earlier, Dr. Ananda Bormudoi, reference to the publication houses of Coordinator of the Publication the University of Oxford, Cambridge Division welcomed the guests. and Yale. Professor Nagen Saikia, an Professor Nagen Saikia in an animated Professor Karabi Deka Hazarika, eminent writer and intellectual of moment. Dean, School of Humanities and Assam, congratulated the authors publication by the Universities. He Social Sciences, Professor Pradip and spoke of the lack of adequate called upon the University fraternity Kumar Bhuyan, Director, Centre human resource in Assam for writing to come forward with their writings for Atmospheric Studies, eminent quality books. Drawing reference for publication by the Dibrugarh writer Dr. Nirmal Kumar Sahewalla to the oldest University Press in the University. He also pointed out were also present at the function. world, viz., the Oxford University the other critical aspect, that is, the The function was concluded with Press (1478) followed by the marketing of the published books. the Vote of Thanks offered by Prakalpa Cambridge University Press (1521), Sri Homen Borgohain released the Ranjan Bhagawati, Publication Professor Alak Kumar Buragohain books titled Ethnic Resurgence among Officer, Dibrugarh University.+++ emphasized the importance of book the Tai Ahoms of Assam authored 6 < The DU Gazette < Autumn Issue, 2016 Celebrating Shakespeare: Four Hundred Years and Beyond A six day workshop was organized of the life and works of William by the Department of English, Shakespeare. The inaugural function Dibrugarh University from 1-6 May, was attended by the Deans of the 2016 for celebrating the 400 Death School of Studies, Faculty Members, Anniversary of William Shakespeare Research Scholars and students. entitled Celebrating Shakespeare: Professor Subir Dhar, Senior Four Hundred Years and Beyond. Professor of the Department The workshop was inaugurated by the of English, Rabaindra Bharati Vice Chancellor Professor Alak K. University, Kolkata and General Buragohain. In his inaugural address, Secretary of the Shakespeare Society Professor Buragohain appreciated of Eastern India was the Chief Guest the Department for organising the in the inaugural session. Professor workshop. He drew attention to Dhar in his Keynote address dwelt Professor