The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Hyderabad (UoH), Prof. Appa Rao Podile is a renowned scientist whose primary research interest is plant immunization. He came to the national limelight after the fateful suicide of UoH PhD scholar Rohith Vemula in 2016. edInbox Special Correspondent Amrita Chakraborty had a detailed conversation with Prof. Appa Rao on UoH, its contribution to research, the state of higher education in India and also the tragic death of Vemula. Here are the excerpts:

edInbox: Your University is one of the 62 higher educational institutions to be granted full autonomy by the University Grants Commission (UGC).  How does it stand to benefit the varsity and what are your plans vis-à-vis the same?

Prof. Appa Rao: We are happy to be one of the 62 institutions, which have been given a higher degree of autonomy. However, we all know that the autonomy has been given in three different levels. The UoH has achieved a Category – I status. Among the other Category – I institutions, we stand in the second position, i.e. next only to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

The autonomy given during this particular assessment has mostly been enjoyed by the UoH since long. On many occasions, people think that the UGC is regulating and not allowing institutions to function according to their own systems. However, the reality is that the UoH has enjoyed autonomy all these while. What has now been announced is the reiteration of the existing autonomy along with some additional flexibility. The present position that the UoH enjoys is more because of the presence of the existing autonomy that it has experienced even earlier.

edInbox: In terms of academics, how does the UoH try to distinguish itself? How would you specify the academic achievements of the University?

Prof. Appa Rao: There are two prompts in academics at the UoH – one is in teaching and the other is in research. Regarding teaching, the UoH has primarily practised constant revisions of curricula since decades. Every school or department of the UoH has restructured and reoriented its courses in every two to three years. The individual faculty members of the programmes have more autonomy in deciding the contents of the courses.

Secondly, in terms of evaluation, we conduct continuous assessment tests. We are not rigid about the method of evaluation and are not confined to written examinations alone. Depending on the subject, the progression of the course and the number of students; the concerned faculty member has the flexibility of designing the method of examination. This is followed by evaluation, assessment and finally giving advice to the students accordingly.

Thirdly, we have excellent laboratories in the science departments for postgraduate students as their courses involve a lot of practical training. The faculty members actively involve themselves in organizing the practical courses. All the science schools have continuous support from a programme known as the Funds for Infrastructure in Science and Technology (FIST) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which is a programme of the Government of India. Thus, all the science departments have the highest level of FIST support (i.e. FIST Level-1, FIST Level-2 etc.), which makes our laboratories well-equipped for both teaching and research. This gives excellent exposure to the students.

Fourthly, we stick to the academic calendar. We announce the examinations and all other academic activities as per the schedule and there are no deviations from the academic calendar. This is one of the rare practices among all the universities. Thus, the above four reasons are the strong points of academics at our University.

Research is the other part of academics in which we have a very good reputation. The UoH has the strongest roots and the highest output in research. In research, we are strong in science subjects as well as subjects other than science such as social sciences, humanities, communication, economics, management and the likes. This comes from the original thinking of the faculty members.

UoH has the highest number of externally funded research projects from national and international agencies. No university in the country can match us. We have a world-class infrastructure for research in all science schools. In addition to that, we have some specialized research facilities, which cater to the interdisciplinary areas of research. For example, we have the Centre for Modelling, Simulation and Design which has a High Performance Computing (HPC) facility (i.e. super-computing facility). Similarly, we have a Centre for Nanotechnology. We also have a centre known as Advanced Centre for Research in High Energy Material (ACRHEM), which conducts research on low-volume but high energy materials such as rocket propellants and the likes. This department was established in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Like this, we have specialized in various areas of science along with three to four specialized areas which are interdisciplinary in nature. In these areas, we have established infrastructure which is second to none.

Moreover, we get excellent input in research programmes, as most of our research scholars have already cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). We get the cream students from all over the country and hence this varsity is like a mini India.

edInbox: As a scientist yourself, how do you perceive the future of science and technical education in India?

Prof. Appa Rao: There is no end to development in science and technology. As you identify something, newer things come up. This is always a challenge to the scientists. At no point in time, we can say that everything is static. We have a lot to understand about nature on how things are happening. Unless we discover this entire phenomenon, there is no end to this.

The challenge here is that earlier, science was mostly driven by ideas which mattered mostly 15 to 20 years ago. In addition to a unique approach in doing research in science, you need to have a lot of infrastructural support. Without using the high-end equipment, you will not be able to execute the ideas. Hence, it has become more like fund-intensive projects. Unless the institution have good funding, it is not easy for the faculty members to cope up with the other scientists of the world in delivering the output. Hence, it is the duty of the government to continuously upgrade newer things for the development of basic sciences.

When it comes to technology, I want to say that very few of the research studies getting conducted in Indian institutions could result in applications. Very less effort made in the last five years has pushed the scientists towards applications. It is not easy for a basic scientist to do research in applied sciences.

We must thank the state and the central government for giving strong support for the incubation and then encouraging people to come up with ideas of start-up businesses and bring out some products. This process is giving a boost to the translation of basic science concepts into applied research. Finally, new technologies can emerge out of this process.

edInbox: What are your thoughts vis-a-vis humanities research in India? What is the contribution of the UoH in the field of humanities research?

Prof. Appa Rao: In humanities, a number of research studies have been conducted all over the country. At the same time, we take pride in saying that the UoH has made major contributions in this field. Similar to basic and applied sciences, there are basic humanities and applied humanities. There have been significant contributions by the UoH in natural language processing. Our faculty members in humanities are specialized in languages, translation, conservation and application of languages. Translation and journalism are two of the major applications of the faculty members of humanities at the UoH. The faculty members use the development of Information Technology (IT) and apply them for the development of languages.

This varsity is known for one of the primary centres being established here, i.e. the Centre for Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies (CALTS). Our department of English has been recognized by the QS World University Rankings and stands as the best department of English in the country.

edInbox: What is the placement scenario for students passing out of the UoH? Do you find the present state satisfactory? If no, what are the plans that are afoot?

Prof. Appa Rao: Placement has to be seen from different angles. For many, getting a job means placement. But we are not training the students here to get a job immediately after passing out of the courses. Our orientation to teaching is towards encouraging them for research. Even for subjects like IT and management, the students show interest in taking up research as their career. When students get into research, it also means a kind of placement. They are building the resources for their future careers. Several of our students get into research programmes – either MPhil or PhD – either at the UoH or any other university.

It is also to be noticed that the number of our students either from management or technology, who are getting placements is increasing every year. Our students from sciences, economics and communication are in high demand as they are suitable for the job market. They get placements in good organizations with reasonably good salaries. Some of our alumni also help their respective departments in giving placements to the students. Moreover we have also strengthened our placement bureau. We have also been organizing job fairs since the last three years to facilitate our students in getting suitable job opportunities.

Some of our students find opportunities abroad to continue their higher studies or research. I consider this also as a kind of placement, as they are not sitting idle.

edInbox: What are your thoughts about student politics? Do you believe that it helps an individual to develop as a politically conscious citizen of the country or does it lead to diversion from one’s academic goals?

Prof. Appa Rao: Universities are the best places for the students to develop as leaders. While studying at a university, a student can get multiple opportunities to showcase their leadership skills, especially at varsities that have residential facilities. However, they will grow as better leaders if they delink themselves from the outside political parties.

Those who want to grow as leaders should be able to identify the right kind of problems and have clarity in the problems and finally represent those in a manner with which they can convince the other side on the need to resolve that matter instead of generalizing things. If they grow independently as leaders, away from external political pressures, then they will be able to show their individuality and will be able to solve a problem.

edInbox: Does the UoH have adequate facilities for the specially-abled students?

Prof. Appa Rao: We do have facilities for the differently-abled students but they are not complete. Yes, we are ranked as one of the best institutes in creating such facilities, but I am not completely satisfied with everything that we have. Only a consciousness has been created since the last five to 10 years on how to respect the differently-abled people and the need for an institution for being proactive in creating these facilities. But a lot more has to be done in this regard.

For example, recently we have opened the Digital Resource Centre for the differently-abled students. We have a Braille printer and scanner along with additional software to facilitate the department. We are also working with some of the old hostels to replace the washrooms and developing the foot-paths for making them friendly for the differently-abled people.

edInbox: It is a matter of concern that only a small fraction of the students passing out of Indian universities are employable. What is your take on that?

Prof. Appa Rao: I may not be able to agree with you on that statement on Indian universities in general. Certainly, the percentage of employability at our university is higher. It is mainly because several of our students enrol for higher studies or research.

At some of the other universities, there is an issue in placement mainly because the students don’t get proper training. Unfortunately for several institutions, the input given to the students is also not good. As we give proper training and maintain commitment, we get good students from across the country. At the same time, it is important to note that many universities don’t have the required number of faculty members.

Thus, one of the reasons is that sometimes the posts are not filled by the State Government despite the pressure by the UGC and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). Secondly, the universities sometimes don’t get qualified faculty members while filling up the vacant posts. At our university as well, we have faced situation where we have not got any suitable application.

edInbox: Could you kindly enlighten us vis-à-vis the major research initiatives taken by the UoH?

Prof. Appa Rao:  One of the major research initiatives is in the field of high energy material as I have said earlier. UoH is strong in the fields of Laser Optics, Low Temperature Physics, Crypto Science, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing (LLP), Community Radio, Econometrics, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Material Science, Cancer Biology, Infectious Diseases, Non-Communicable Diseases and the likes.

edInbox: Tell us something about your brilliant academic journey.

Prof. Appa Rao: My research area is to develop methods to immunize plants or to induce immunity in pants. With this, we can reduce the usage of harmful chemical pesticides and allow the plants to develop its inherent capacity to fight diseases.

These medicines cannot be compared with antibiotics as these are molecules which develop immunity. Antibiotics kill the pathogens. The molecules that I am talking about don’t kill the pathogens. They rather activate the capability of the body to respond for immunity. Finally, those activated mechanisms kill the pathogens.

edInbox: Although controversial, kindly enlighten us on your take about the Rohith Vemula episode.

Prof. Appa Rao:  As an individual, I had very little to do with it as a Vice Chancellor. It was a coincidence that I took charge after the whole punishment was started. The University only tried to reduce the level of punishment which was given to that student. It is unfortunate that he gave his life. He never mentioned the words – Vice Chancellor or University of Hyderabad or Appa Rao. Despite that, the political parties started making allegations against the University and specific individuals.

This is an unfortunate situation for two things. Primarily, it is unfortunate as the boy lost his life. Secondly it is unfortunate as the people indulged in dirty politics by damaging the reputation of the University.

Universities are to be run on certain accepted norms along with the prescribed statutes and ordinances. A Vice Chancellor is supposed to be the custodian to ensure that these procedures are not compromised. The statutes should not be neglected and the system should run in an efficient manner. Great institutions, like this University, should follow and set examples in the country. Academics should be the priority of an institution and not other activities. We are trying our best to explain and convince our students on such requirements of our University and hope all the small groups of students who are not able to understand will understand soon.

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Reporting by Amrita Chakraborty
Special Correspondent, Hyderabad

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