In a historic appointment, Dr Manali Makarand Kshirsagar has been named the first woman vice-chancellor of Nagpur University (NU). Following the announcement by the Governor on Monday evening, Dr Kshirsagar outlined a clear and immediate action plan focused squarely on student welfare, with ending examination delays and filling key vacancies at the top of her list.
From Alumna to Leader: A Homecoming Mission
Expressing profound pride and a sense of privilege, Dr Kshirsagar highlighted the unique significance of leading her alma mater. Her journey from a Nagpur University student to its vice-chancellor fuels her commitment to give back. In her first interactions, she emphasized that her discussions with the Governor centered on understanding contemporary student needs, preventing dropouts, and aligning the university's goals with the broader national visions of Viksit Bharat and Viksit Maharashtra 2047.
Immediate Priorities: Exams, Staffing, and Rankings
Addressing a perennial student grievance, Dr Kshirsagar declared that ensuring timely examinations is an achievable and top priority. She plans to tackle this through the centralization of the examination system. Alongside this, she acknowledged the critical issue of numerous vacancies in top positions, including deans and the pro-vice-chancellor role.
Filling these faculty and administrative posts is essential not only for operations but also for improving the faculty-student ratio, a key parameter in national rankings. On the matter of NU's NIRF ranking, Dr Kshirsagar brings valuable experience from her contribution to VIT's ranking improvement. Her strategy involves a thorough analysis of NU's current performance on NIRF parameters followed by the creation of a structured roadmap for advancement.
A Roadmap for NEP and Administrative Philosophy
The implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) forms a core part of her agenda. Dr Kshirsagar assured that NU would undertake strong and systematic steps with a clear roadmap, guided by transparency and open communication throughout the process.
Describing her administrative approach, she championed the principles of clarity, communication, and accountability. She plans to run short-term improvements and long-term reforms simultaneously. This dual-track strategy aims to ensure Nagpur University advances academically while robustly strengthening its student support systems for a transformative impact.
