VC Report

Back to main page

JSS University Mysore

Vice-Chancellor's Report
By
Dr B Suresh Vice-Chancellor

First Convocation 29 June, 2010

Respected Swamiji, the Chancellor of JSS University, Mysore,

Honourable Chief Guest, His Excellency Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Former President of India,

Sri B N Betkerur, Pro-Chancellor of JSS University,

Esteemed members of the Board of Management, Academic Council, Planning & Monitoring Board, Finance Committee, Advisory Committee, Board's of Studies and Faculties,

Deans and Professors and faculty of the constituent colleges of the University,

Officers of the University,

Proud parents and young graduates,

Members of the electronic, visual and print, media,

Distinguished invitees and guests, ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the JSS University, Mysore, I consider it a great privilege and pleasure to extend a warm welcome to the august gathering on the occasion of the 1st Convocation of the JSS University, Mysore.

I welcome His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, the Chancellor of JSS University, Mysore. His Holiness Swamiji believes that only a holistic education system in the modern time of fading culture can provide opportunities for today's youth to quench their deep thirst for meaning and wholeness. ‘Education for self reliance and spirituality for self realisation' is his way of guiding the youth of this country. The University is indeed grateful for his vision, wisdom and continued guidance.

It is our honour and privilege to extend warm greetings and welcome to His Excellency Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Former President of India, who has been the source of inspiration and guidance to us in taking the university to the greater heights. We would also like to mention here that His Excellency has given us the rare honour of being the distinguished Professor of our university. I am extremely thankful for His Excellency's presence and for accepting to be the Chief Guest for the convocation and deliver the first convocation address.

I welcome the Pro-chancellor of JSS University, Mysore, Sri B N Betkerur, whose suggestions and innovative thinking have enabled the University to take rapid strides in the short span of its establishment.

I whole heartedly welcome the members of the Board of Management, Academic Council, Board of Studies and other boards.

I welcome all the faculty of constituent colleges of the university.

I also welcome the press and media.

My warm welcome goes out to the parents, distinguished invitees and guests.

Last but not the least I would like to welcome my dear young graduates who have come here to make history by becoming the first batch of graduates to receive their degrees from the JSS University. I take this opportunity to congratulate the award winners on their achievement.

At this first convocation I have great pleasure in submitting a brief report about the University to this august gathering:

JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Mysore, had approached the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, to grant the status of deemed-to-be university to certain institutions managed by it in the field of medical sciences. In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956, the Central Government, on the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC), declared Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeswara University, Mysore, Karnataka, vide its notification dated 28th May 2008, under section 3 of the UGC Act 1956 comprising of:

• JSS Medical College and Hospital, Mysore
• JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysore
• JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore
• JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty

as Deemed-to-be University provisionally for a period of five years, with effect from the date on which the aforementioned colleges are disaffiliated from their respective affiliating universities viz. Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Bangalore and the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai.

The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, had granted disaffiliation to JSS Medical College, Mysore; JSS Dental College, Mysore & JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore from the date of notification of the Government of India. Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, has granted disaffiliation to JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, with effect from the date of notification of the Government of India.

The University was inaugurated on 13th June 2008, by His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. His Holiness Sri Siddheshwar Swamiji, several saints and seers, dignitaries and faculty graced the occasion.

Sri B. N. Betkerur, I.A.S. (Retd.) assumed charge as the Pro-Chancellor and Dr. B. Suresh assumed charge as the first Vice-Chancellor of the University on the same day. Dr Mruthyunjaya P Kulenur assumed charge as Registrar on 19th June 2008.

Task Force Committee, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education in its report has stated that JSS University has been given the position of "Category - B".

The Vision and Mission of the University are as follows:

Mission:

The Mission of JSS University is to nurture and develop the talents of students and to create applicable knowledge in order to support social and economic advancement

Vision:

As a comprehensive University, JSS University is committed to offer high quality undergraduate, graduate and professional education to its students

• The University will give highest priority to resource allocation for the future development of those areas that represent the traditional strengths, quality, reputation and uniqueness of the institution and that continue to effectively respond to the needs of students and other constituents.
• Consistent with this commitment, the University will emphasize a broad and superior undergraduate education that imparts the knowledge, skills, and values so essential to educated and responsible citizens. At the same time, the University will provide high-quality graduate and professional programs in areas of need and importance to the state and beyond.
• To accomplish these educational goals, JSS University will continue to compete nationally to attract faculty distinguished by its commitment to teaching and by its achievements in research, both pure and applied. The University will strive to attract the faculty that will bring distinction and stature to the undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs offered by the University.
• Because research is essential to the mission of the University, JSS University will continue development of its research programs. The primary focus of this research will be directed to the solution of problems and the development of knowledge and technology important to the state and nation and to the quality of life of Indian citizens. The University's research programs will make important contributions to instructional programs through the involvement of graduate and undergraduate students and the renewal of the faculty.
• Research will also provide the knowledge base for outreach programs. In carrying out its research mission, the University will emphasize established areas of strength and will focus available resources in those areas of research and doctoral study that are, or have the potential to develop into nationally and internationally recognized centres of excellence.
• The University will maintain the strengths of its traditional outreach programs and will increasingly involve in outreach programs that respond to the changing needs of the society in which we live. The University will continue to seek new and innovative ways to reach out to the people it serves.
• The University will contribute to a sustainable future by making use of the latest e-learning pedagogy and technology.

The JSS University believes in putting new knowledge and ideas to work. As knowledge becomes the key differentiator, universities play an ever increasing role in providing the transformational knowledge and expertise that the current environment demands. The University's long-term road map focuses on being the pre-eminent knowledge and research institution in the nation.

The last two years have been years of significant and continuous growth for JSS University. While meeting the challenges of the 21st century through innovative pathways in learning and research and noting the branding project's focus on the University's contemporary image in the wider community, the University never forgot the contributors of earlier years from the sponsoring society JSS Mahavidyapeetha.

With a clear vision and strategy, the University invested in significant change projects, including academic restructure, a renewal of curriculum and a number of substantial infrastructure projects. As a reflection of these changes, the University unveiled a new look and voice to accurately represent what JSS University stands for today and where it is headed in the future. We collectively accept and immediately respond in a way that most positively reflects upon the University and on the community at large.

The University constituted the following bodies as per its rules:

• Board of Management 
• Academic Council
• Planning & Monitoring Board
• Finance Committee 
• Advisory Committee
• Board of Studies 

Board of Studies

The following Boards of Studies have been constituted:

• Postgraduate Board of Studies in Surgery & Allied Subjects
• Postgraduate Board of Studies in Medicine & Allied Subjects 
• Postgraduate Board of Studies in Basic Medical Sciences
• Postgraduate Board of Studies in Dentistry
• Postgraduate Board of Studies in Pharmacy
• Pre & Para-clinical Board of Studies in the Faculty of Medicine 
• Clinical Board of Studies in Faculty of Medicine
• UG Board of Studies in Dentistry
• UG Board of Studies in Pharmacy
• Board of Studies in Research 
• Board of Studies in Management Studies
• Board of Studies in Biomedical Sciences 

Apart from the above bodies, the university has also constituted the following committees:

• Staff Selection Committee
• Hostel Review Committee 
• Library Committee
• Purchase Committee
• Research Coordination Council
• Eligibility Committee
• Anti Ragging Committee 

The constituent colleges have the necessary infrastructural facilities and learning resources and have kept pace with the growth of the institution for effective and smooth conduct of teaching - learning and research.
The University has spacious campuses and independent buildings for each faculty. The extent of these buildings is: Medical College (60,271 Sq. meters), Hospital (3, 02,167 Sq. meters) Dental College (18,349 Sq. meters), Pharmacy, Mysore campus (16,430 Sq. meters) and Pharmacy, Ooty campus (14,524 Sq. meters). All the college buildings have adequate physical and instructional facility with central libraries and well equipped laboratories.

The University has framed the Regulations for the following courses:

• M.B.B.S.
• B.D.S.
• M.D.S.
• B. Pharm 
• M. Pharm 
• Pharm D.
• Pharm D. (Post Baccalaureate)
• Ph.D.

The following new programmes were started by the University at its constituent colleges viz JSS college of Pharmacy Mysore and JSS college of Pharmacy, Ooty during the year 2008-09:

• Pharm D.
• Pharm D.(Post Baccalaureate)

The University colleges offer 05 UG programmes, PG courses in 38 specialties, Research leading to Ph.D. in 10 subjects and PG Diploma in Medical Sciences in 12 specialties.

As on today, the University has 631 teachers. There are 114 Professors, 55 Associate Professors/Readers, 180 Assistant Professors/Lecturers, 83 Tutors and 199 Resident Doctors.

There are 2519 students in the constituent colleges studying various undergraduate, Postgraduate and PhD programs in three faculties - Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Sciences. On an average, about 200 students obtain their Masters degree annually. As on today, 27 Ph.D. students and 323 Masters programme students are working in the campus.

Each library of the constituent college is spacious and centrally located. The Medical college library has a collection of 16,080 books and subscribes to 170 journals, Dental College has 6044 journals and subscribes to 112 journals, the Pharmacy College at Mysore has 6774 books and subscribes to 37 journals and the Pharmacy College at Ooty campus has 9562 Books and subscribes 102 journals apart from CD-ROMS & e-library contents.

The constituent colleges have organized in total about 108 seminars/ workshops/ symposia, 22 teaching & learning programmes, 31 Research development programmes and 197 guest lectures with their own resources and financial assistance of national and state agencies.

The constituent colleges have received substantial funding from agencies belonging to Central/State Governments, industries, NGOs and other agencies supporting intellectual activities like ICMR, DST, DBT, AICTE, UGC, etc. The amount of grants received for ongoing research projects is over 270 lakhs. Staff members of around 20 departments provide consultancy in pharmaceutical formulation development, HR training and advanced drug analysis, to other institutions and industries. The earning from consultancy research projects is Rs. 217.39 lakhs.

There are 8 hostels at the Mysore campus (5 for boys + 3 for girls) with an accommodation capacity of around 1000. There is one boy's hostel and one girl's hostel at the Ooty campus which can accommodate about 500 students. The hostels provide all the facilities needed to ensure comfortable living for all students in the hostel.

Signing of MoU with various international universities

Today, possessing knowledge and having the ability to use knowledge in a world-wide arena is critical to personal and societal advancement. Likewise, having a skilled and globally focused workforce is perhaps the most important ingredient to any organization's competitiveness in a world where competitors can come from next door or around the world. Any entity that does not support an environment that attracts, sustains and retains creative, imaginative, and globally resourceful individuals will eventually fall behind. The role of higher education in such nurturing is most apparent as universities and colleges are considered by many to be the primary suppliers of such individuals.

The realities of globalization (greater competition, relentless pressures to innovate, new worldwide markets and production options, growing concerns over cultural and environmental degradation) have resulted in a common perception that "knowledge societies," those that constantly develop new ideas, technologies, methods, products and services are crucial for future prosperity. This has resulted in even greater demands on universities to develop deep rooted entrepreneurial cultures that are international in scope, such that the creation, transfer and use of knowledge is ongoing and evolving. Likewise, the growing competition among universities and other entities that now develop, distribute and market education are compelling academic leaders to seek unique ways to differentiate their programs from others' programs.

To meet these challenges, institutions of higher education are seeking ways to further connect their faculty, students and outside communities in a strategic infrastructure where ideas flow, new initiatives blossom, flexibility abounds and global reputations expand. Knowledge development and the commercialization of that knowledge in the international context are seen as the primary work of 21st century universities.

The JSS University realising that the University has to meet these challenges of globalization of higher education, has signed the following MoU's for enhancing its research activities and nurturing quality education.

• AlfaGene Bio-Science, Inc., New Jersey, USA, for co-operation in the field of medical biotechnology and stem cell research.
• University of Illinois, Chicago, USA, for promoting research and co-operation in the field of health science and particularly in the area of clinical pharmacy.
• The University South Nevada, Nevada, USA for cooperation in the field of health sciences.
• Long Island University, USA for cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical sciences
• National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA, in the area of medicine.

The University is presently pursuing dialogue with the following universities for collaboration:

• La-Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
• John Hopkins University, USA
• Khon Kaen University, Thailand 

In its endeavor to support and nurture research in other JSS institutions, the JSS University, Mysore, has signed an MoU with JSS Arts, Science & Commerce College, Mysore-Ooty Road, Mysore, which is a Postgraduate Institute and offering various arts, science and commerce programmes for carrying out research in the areas of Biotechnology, Bio-Chemistry and related Bio-medical Sciences and to also assist in building advanced laboratories for carrying out research activities.

Adjunct Professors

The University believes that knowledge is global and comes in different forms. To really widen the perspective to education and research, the University needs to invite leaders from diverse backgrounds to associate with the University and its research initiatives. For this purpose the University has appointed eminent educationists, scientists and policy makers as adjunct faculty to the University. Few of them include Dr Bhaskar Balakrishnan, Former Ambassador of India to Greece, Govt. of India, Dr James C Griffiths, Vice-President of Food, Dietary Supplement and Excipient Standards, US Pharmacopoeia, USA, Dr Arun Chandrasekar, Former Scientist, CFTRI, Mysore and Prof Keshava Nireshwalia, Former Scientist, CFTRI, Mysore.

Results

The university has been successfully able to initiate its examination system which is both robust and sustainable.

The University proudly presents 119 graduates who have successfully completed the Master of Pharmacy programme at this convocation.

Future Plans:

The University is aware that the knowledge economy will need more highly skilled people, with better and newer skills. There are more jobs expected asking for high level skills than there are higher education graduates. So there still is a need for expansion of participation and attainment. If countries want to overcome the economic crisis and to remain competitive in the future, they will have to invest in human (and social) capital. Changing value systems will further increase (and modify) the demand for higher learning, but also the way learners will want to learn -more secular and more oriented to self expression and providing more opportunities for self-directed learning.

Keeping in line with the same the University has envisaged several innovative and interdisciplinary programmes in its strategic plan. Accordingly, during the academic year 2010-11, the university is going to introduce the following new programmes in its constituent colleges:

• MBA Hospital Administration
• MBA Pharmacy Administration
• Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm.) in two more specializations 
  • Regulatory Affairs and 
  • Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance 
• Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaco vigilance 
• B.Sc., Allied Sciences with following specializations in:
  • Laboratory Technology
  • Perfusion Technology 
  • X-ray Technology
  • Operation Theatre Technology
• M.Sc Programmes in:
  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Bio-chemistry
• Master in Public Health 
• M.Phil in Clinical Psychology 

These programmes are expected to meet the manpower needs of the country particularly in the healthcare and pharma sector.

The strategic plan of the university envisages the setting up Centre of Excellence in:

• Water and Health
• Biotechnology 
• Nanotechnology
• Natural Products (Herbal Drugs)

First Convocation:

During the First Convocation a total number of 119 students of JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore and JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty will receive their Master of Pharmacy Degree course.

The following students are getting the Gold Medals in the various specializations:

S No	Name	Branch	Medal / Certificate
1	Sumeet Sood	Pharmaceutics	His Holiness Jagagdguru Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Swamiji Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in M.Pharm degree and EDICT Pharma Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmaceutics branch in M.Pharm degree.
2	Ummehani	Industrial Pharmacy	Sri KVP Amar Kumar Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Industrial Pharmacy branch in M.Pharm degree.
3	Sathish Vimal C	Pharmaceutical Analysis	Rajanikant B Raja Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmaceutical Analysis branch in M.Pharm degree.
4	Gayathri R	Pharmaceutical Chemistry	St. Peter's Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmaceutical Chemistry branch in M.Pharm degree.
5	Sowmiya Sree R S	Pharmacognosy	Dr. K Chinnaswamy Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmacognosy branch in M.Pharm degree.
6	Vemuleti Radhika Reddy	Pharmacology	Sri Hiralal Sadhwani Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmacology branch in M.Pharm degree.
7	Nithya K	Phytopharmacy & Phytomedicine	Dr. K Chinnaswamy Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Phytopharmacy & Phytomedicine branch in M.Pharm degree.
8	Christy Mary Sam	Pharmacy Practice	Mr. Frank May Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmacy Practice branch in M.Pharm degree.
9	Sonia Tom	Pharmacy Practice	Mr. Frank May Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmacy Practice branch in M.Pharm degree.
10	Priya P C	Pharmaceutical Biotechnology	Sri Bhojaraj Panjoomal Gold Medal for obtaining highest marks in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology branch in M.Pharm degree.

"The longevity of the university is not a result of never changing - but rather a credit to its ability to evolve, adapt, and change over time".