HPUTWA protests against alleged attempts to undermine HPU autonomy
Shimla, September 9: The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers Welfare Association (HPUTWA) organised a protest on the university campus on Tuesday against what it termed continued attempts to undermine the autonomy, academic freedom and institutional dignity of Himachal Pradesh University.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Kulbhushan Chandel, Chaudhary Waryam Singh Bains, member of the HPU Alumni Association, Dr Shashikant Sharma, HPUTWA president Prof Nitin Vyas and former president Prof Harish Thakur said the university had been built over 56 years through the contribution of teachers, employees and students.
The speakers alleged that government interference in the university’s autonomy would affect its academic and institutional functioning. They stressed that accountability was necessary, but should not come at the cost of institutional independence, and called for greater investment in research, laboratories, hostels, sports facilities and infrastructure.
HPUTWA said statutory bodies such as the Academic Council and Executive Council should be allowed to perform their roles without undue external control. The association maintained that the university should be made accountable, but not subordinate.
Addressing the protesters, Prof Nitin Vyas said the demonstration was a warning and that the association would be compelled to launch a broader agitation if attempts to dilute the university’s autonomy continued. He thanked senior faculty members, employees, students and research scholars for supporting the cause.
Samagra Sikhsha
