Exclusive: Vice Chancellor Prof. B.P. Saraswat Signals Reform at Sukhadia University

Udaipur: In an extensive and candid interaction, Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU) Vice Chancellor (Kulguru) Prof. B.P. Saraswat outlined a clear vision for institutional reform, administrative transparency, and student-centric governance. Taking charge during a period marked by uncertainty and unresolved controversies, Prof. Saraswat conveyed a decisive leadership approach—prioritizing long-pending disputes, academic transformation, and the welfare of students and retired employees alike.

A major focus of the discussion remained the university’s long-standing property disputes and their financial implications. Prof. Saraswat reaffirmed his commitment to resolving these matters through legal and administrative channels, including enforcement of court directives in sensitive cases such as the Champa Bagh land issue and disputed road-front property. He emphasized that protecting university assets is essential for long-term institutional stability, particularly in addressing pension liabilities and infrastructure needs.

On pensions, Prof. Saraswat described the situation of retired faculty and staff as structurally challenging, noting that universities cannot indefinitely depend on internal resources or land monetization. Raising the concern at the gubernatorial coordination level, he advocated that pension responsibility should align with the framework followed for state government employees. He also highlighted recent progress in clearing long-pending pay commission arrears, calling it a step toward restoring confidence among retirees while reiterating the need for a permanent state-level solution.

Student welfare formed another central theme. Responding to concerns regarding fees, results, and examination reforms, Prof. Saraswat clarified that no fee hike has been introduced in recent years. He attributed unrest largely to misinformation and the transition to semester-based learning under the National Education Policy, which emphasizes continuous assessment, skill development, and conceptual understanding rather than rote learning. While acknowledging student anxiety during transition, he maintained that these reforms are necessary to prepare competitive, employable graduates for a rapidly evolving economy.

He further explained that delays or withheld results often arise when affiliated colleges fail to submit internal or practical marks on time. In such cases, the university temporarily withholds only affected results rather than delaying outcomes for thousands of students. Strengthened re-evaluation safeguards, multi-examiner scrutiny, and transparent correction mechanisms are being reinforced to maintain academic credibility.

Reaffirming accessibility, Prof. Saraswat emphasized an open-door administrative culture, stating that students may directly approach him whenever he is present on campus. He highlighted the launch of a digital grievance redressal application to streamline complaints related to examinations, admissions, and departmental concerns. Despite initial operational challenges, he expressed confidence that technology-driven governance will enhance transparency and response efficiency.

The Vice Chancellor also addressed broader systemic challenges in higher education, particularly the rapid opening of colleges without adequate infrastructure, faculty, or administrative support. While acknowledging the importance of expanding access—especially for girls in smaller towns—he stressed that quality education requires teachers, classrooms, and governance capacity. Balanced expansion, he noted, is essential to prevent institutional decline and student dissatisfaction.

Looking ahead, Prof. Saraswat underscored the importance of skill development, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation-led education. India’s demographic strength, he said, can translate into national progress only when youth possess practical competencies alongside academic knowledge. Universities must therefore evolve from examination-centric bodies into ecosystems that nurture employability, startups, and lifelong learning.

Overall, the interaction reflected Prof. B.P. Saraswat’s governance philosophy rooted in firmness, transparency, and reform-oriented leadership. By simultaneously addressing property disputes, pension sustainability, student grievances, academic restructuring, and systemic educational gaps, he projected cautious yet meaningful optimism for MLSU’s future.

If sustained through institutional collaboration and policy support, these early steps may mark the beginning of a transformative phase—one defined by accountability, inclusivity, and renewed academic excellence at Mohanlal Sukhadia University.