Dar Ovais is a Chandigarh-based Hindustan Times correspondent who covers higher education.
Articles by Dar Ovais
ME/MTech courses: Relaxation in admission criteria gets PU syndicate nod
PU syndicate has approved doing away with the PU-Common Entrance Test (PG) for those seeking admission in ME and MTech courses at University Institute of Engineering and Technology and Dr SS Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology for the next academic session
Published on Mar 26, 2023 02:21 AM IST
Incumbent V-Cs from other varsities among 140 applicants for PU V-C’s post
After former V-C Raj Kumar’s resignation, the post was advertised last month and the last date to apply was March 24; among the total applicants, around 20 are from the Panjab University campus
Updated on Mar 26, 2023 02:21 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Panjab University syndicate nod to increase faculty’s retirement age to 65
Panjab University syndicate approves proposal for fresh amendments in retirement age of faculty members on its campus and at non-government affiliated colleges as per UGC recommendations
Updated on Mar 26, 2023 02:21 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU faculty aged over 62 may not be able to guide new PhD scholars
Faculty members with less than three years of completion of re-employment may not be allowed to take new research scholars at PU as per a proposed change in rules
Published on Mar 25, 2023 03:59 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU looks to relax admission criteria amid low enrolments
It has proposed doing away with the entrance exam PU-CET (PG) for those seeking admission in the courses at PU’s University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) and Dr SS Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (UICET) for the next academic session to attract more students
Published on Mar 24, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU bats for UGC regulations for retirement age, proposes fresh amendments
PU has proposed that the retirement age be as per the regulations of the UGC — which is 65 years as opposed to the varsit’s retirement age, which is 60 years at present
Updated on Mar 21, 2023 02:57 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Panjab University’s non-teaching staff foregoing promotions may lose future chances
If approved by the Panjab University syndicate and senate, the decision will be applicable to all non-teaching employees of PU campus, constituent colleges and regional centres
Published on Mar 19, 2023 05:03 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
NAAC grade renewal: Panjab University working on submitting SSR by March 31
Panjab University has already submitted its Institutional Information for Quality Assessment (IIQA) that officials said had been accepted by NAAC
Published on Mar 15, 2023 11:46 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU committee bats for removal of advertisement panels at cycle docking stations
Observers that Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) never sought any formal approval from the varsity to install docks with such panels
Published on Mar 15, 2023 05:06 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Come new session, PU’s hostel allotment likely be done online
While the online portal for PU hostel allotment was set up in 2019, it was not used after that session; students had continuously been pushing for the process to move back online.
Published on Mar 13, 2023 07:39 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Tenders out, Panjab University’s campus cafe promises flavours aplenty
In the latest development, Panjab University also approved the coffee house’s expanded menu, with specified rates, to incorporate disparate cuisines and flavours that go beyond its original South Indian roots
Published on Mar 12, 2023 02:40 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Chandigarh admn looking at 5-year posting for school principals, heads
Chandigarh education department has readied a draft policy for transfers of government school staff; objections have been invited by March 24
Published on Mar 10, 2023 01:36 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Punjab budget on Friday; PU again writes to state govt for grant enhancement
The university has already written to the Punjab government a few times regarding the matter during the recent months. The PU urged the state government to enhance its annual grant to the university in view of the implementation of revised pay scales for teachers and non-teaching staff.
Updated on Mar 09, 2023 11:52 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: PU seeks retirement benefit fund details from colleges
PU, Chandigarh, has sought “complete bank statements” of the fund from these colleges by March 20. The development comes after complaints that college teachers were not being given retirement benefits. The matter was also raised at the last meeting of PU senate, the university’s apex governing body.
Published on Mar 09, 2023 08:56 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Five-day salary delay leaves Panjab University employees anxious
Panjab University officials said it was facing a technical issue with the PFMS portal, which has now been resolved; pay expected to be credited shortly
Published on Mar 06, 2023 02:35 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU may allow students to pursue 2 academic programmes simultaneously
No other major university in the region is allowing students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously so far and it is said that PU may be the first one to do so. The guidelines were issued in line with the objectives envisaged by the National Education Policy (NEP-2020)
Published on Mar 01, 2023 11:44 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
After PEC, Panjab University mulls going traditional for annual convocation
Panjab University considering to change the dress code for its annual graduation ceremony from convocation robes to traditional Indian attire
Published on Mar 01, 2023 02:12 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
One year of Ukraine war: Rescued, but not yet recovered, Chandigarh students count their losses
After thousands of Indian students were evacuated from Ukraine last year, the National Medical Council (NMC) allowed them to complete their medical education in other countries
Published on Feb 27, 2023 04:29 AM IST
Dar Ovais and Bhavey Nagpal, Chandigarh
Chandigarh railway station: Free window for pick and drop increased to 10 minutes
Introduced to decongest the pick-and-drop lane, the new parking system had ended up making arrivals at the station a nightmare for passengers
Published on Feb 26, 2023 03:58 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Panjab University V-C’s post to be advertised soon
The post fell vacant after former V-C Raj Kumar resigned on January 10, citing personal reasons, amid allegations of corruption in the university
Published on Feb 24, 2023 04:29 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Panjab University panel proposes fee hike for upcoming session
Before the 2022-23 session, the varsity had last increased the fee in 2019-20; the panel is also working on the new fee structure, with the fee hike incorporated
Updated on Feb 23, 2023 03:39 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Audit calls for finance board’s approval before enhancement of honorarium for PU guest faculty
The development has further delayed the benefit to PU guest faculty, who have been in limbo for years now; there are around 250 guest faculty members working in different departments of the varsity
Updated on Feb 22, 2023 03:38 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU faculty deans’ elected after two-year gap
The elections began with the faculty of dairying, animal husbandry and agriculture, where Amit Joshi was elected as dean
Published on Feb 21, 2023 03:50 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Panjab University senate removes UIET teacher, Vig gets extension as DUI
Imposing major penalty for unauthorised absence from duty, the Panjab University senate decided to UIET teacher
Published on Feb 20, 2023 10:26 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
38% engineering seats at Panjab University find no takers
As many as 329 of the 875 seats offered by Panjab University two engineering institutes have remained vacant in the 2022-23 session
Published on Feb 19, 2023 03:04 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU rulebook dictates service rules of aided colleges’ teachers, says Chandigarh admn
Amid teaching and non-teaching staff’s protest for implementation of UGC regulations, Chandigarh admn says it cannot enhance teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years unless the requisite amendments are made in Panjab University’s regulations Amid the relentless protest by teaching and non-teaching staff of aided colleges, the Chandigarh administration in its first-ever response to protesters’ demands has said that it cannot enhance the teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years unless the requisite amendments are made in Panjab University’s (PU) rulebook
Published on Feb 17, 2023 04:18 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Low on faculty, PU’s languages departments continue to get poor response
There are very few regular teachers in the PU’s languages departments, with some of the small languages departments having only one regular teacher at present. The admission data shared by the university shows that the seats have remained vacant in almost every course offered by these departments.
Published on Feb 16, 2023 02:23 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
PU: After AFUS, issue over secretariat pay increment hinders staffers’ pay revision
While the scrapping of assured financial upgradation (AFU) scheme has given relief to some non-teaching Panjab University (PU) staffers in the revision of their pay scales, the majority of them still face an issue related to the secretariat pay.
Updated on Feb 17, 2023 12:41 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
JEE Main January edition: Three from Chandigarh score over 99
While Raghav Goyal and Moulik Jindal, both students of Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula, got a 99.9973 NTA score, Gunveen Gill of Sri Guru Harkrishan Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 38, Chandigarh, got 99.98 in JEE-Main’s January edition
Published on Feb 08, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
Chandigarh: PU deans’ election on February 20; profs above 60 to participate
According to a senior PU official, professors serving above the age of 60 will be included in the voters list this time. As per the schedule issued on Tuesday, the deans of 11 faculties and secretaries will be elected on February 20 by senators, added members, professors and heads of departments.
Updated on Feb 07, 2023 08:23 PM IST
Dar Ovais, Chandigarh
