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Academic Excellence
The primary function of a University is to promote and establish
academic excellence. Prof. Mathur directed all his efforts
towards this end from the very beginning of his first term
of appointment. Prof. Mathur had the high aspiration that
Agra University becomes a real temple of learning, that it
is known for its academic excellence and the intellectual
and moral quality of its alumni, that it is able to produce
students possessing a balanced personality and a well-trained
mind, fully-equipped with knowledge and training to meet the
growing needs of the society in the emerging areas of human
activity and interest. These objectives necessitated the establishment
of a full-fledged residential wing of the University. Till
then the residential wing of the university consisted of three
Institutes only, viz. (1) K.M. Institute of Hindi and Linguistics,
(2) The Institute of Social Sciences, and (3) The Institute
of Home Science. But these Institutes had not been functioning
as efficiently as they should have been. Prof. Mathur first
made concerted efforts to streamline these Institutes. But
it was soon realized that a few more Institutes were urgently
needed. Consequently, efforts were set a foot to establish
an Institute of Basic Sciences and an Institute of Vocational
Studies. These Institutes were subsequently established. The
Institute of Basic Sciences had five P.G. Departments, viz.
Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, and Mathematics. Each
of these Departments started with three major courses - M.Sc,
M.Phil., and PhD The syllabi for M.Sc. in different subjects
were different from and more advanced than the courses in
force in the affiliated colleges. Some new courses were also
introduced such as Clinical Chemistry, Nuclear Physics, Computer
Application and System Analysis, and Social Forestry. Steps
were also taken to develop the Department of History into
a full-fledged Institute of Indian History and Culture. The
University also set up an independent department of Library
Science and Manuscriptology. Thus the University developed
a comprehensive and multi-dimensional Residential Wing which
brought the University at par with the prestigious residential
Universities of the State.
Job-Oriented Courses
Prof. Mathur also envisaged that mere academic or theoretical
education would not equip the students with necessary training
to meet the needs and demands of practical life. As such he
set up a number of job-oriented one-year P.G. Diploma courses
which opened numerous avenues for jobs and self-employment.
The more important of these job-oriented courses were: Hotel
Management and Tourism, Diploma in Business Management, Computer
Programming both in English and Hindi, Diploma in Physical
Education, and Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education etc.
Proposals for the Seventh Five-Year Plan
It was also during Prof. Mathur's first term in office as
Vice-Chancellor that the government invited proposals from
the Universities for the Seventh Five -Year Plan. Under the
guidance and patronage of Prof. Mathur, the University prepared
and submitted the following proposals for the strengthening
of the Residential Wing of the University. The present and
future programming of the University Departments were submitted
as given below:
Department of History
Present Programmes PhD and D.Litt M.Phil. Diploma in
Tourism.
Future Programmes M.A. (History) Advanced Course (to be
added) Diploma/Degree in Journalism and Mass Media. Diploma
in Archaeology. Diploma in Fine Arts. Diploma in Women's
Studies and Social Welfare.
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Department
of Physics Present Programmes PhD/ D.Sc. M.Phil. Future
Programmes M.Sc. (Applied Physics) (to be added) M.Sc.
(Electronics) M.Sc. (Computer Science) Diploma in Electronics
and Instrumentation. Diploma in Computer Science and Digital
Electronics. Diploma in Radiation Physics.
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Department
of Chemistry Present Programmes PhD/ D.Sc. M.Phil. Future
Programmes M.Sc. (Environmental Chemistry) (to be added)
B. Pharmacy Diploma in Clinical Chemistry. Diploma in
Pharmacy. Diploma in Glass and Ceramics. Diploma in Petro-Chemicals.
Diploma in Leather Finishing, Paints & Varnishes.
Diploma in Drug Chemistry.
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Department
of Mathematics Present Programmes PhD/ D.Sc. M.Phil.
Future Programmes M.A/M.Sc. (Computer Applications) (to
be added) M.A/M.Sc. (Applied Mathematics) M.A/M.Sc. (Operations
Research) Diploma in Program and Decision Sciences. Diploma
in Meteorological Forecasting.
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Department
of Zoology Present Programmes PhD/ D.Sc. M.Phil. Future
Programmes M.Sc. (Applied Zoology) with (to be added)
specialization in Environmental Zoology Diploma in Modern
Lab.Techniques and clinical Pathology. Diploma in Pathology
and Biochemical Techniques.
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Department
of Library Science Present Programme B.Lib. Science. Future
Programme Diploma in Library Science, Archives (to be
added) and Museology.
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Institute
of Social Sciences (i) Department of Economics M.Phil.
& PhD (ii) Department of Political M.Phil. &
PhD Science (iii) Department of Sociology M.Phil. [already
conducting PhD and M.A. (Alternative Course)] (iv) Department
of Social Work M.Phil. (already conducting Master of Social
Work and PhD Programmes) (v) Department of Statistics
M.Phil. (stat.) conducting M.Stat. and PhD Diploma in
Computer Programmes in Statistics) Programming.
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K.M.
Institute of Hindi Studies & Linguistics (1) Department
of Modern Indian M.A.(Urdu) (facilities to teach Languages
(already conducting Urdu for M.A. PhD, M.Phil. and M.A.
Hindi Degree do not exist in Language & Literature
courses any affiliated college); & Diploma courses
for M.Phil.(Urdu); Proficiency in various Regional PhD
(Urdu) Languages, viz. Gujarati etc.) (2) Department of
Oriental M.Phil. and PhD in Sanskrit. Classical Languages
(3) Department of European M.Phil. and PhD in Languages
(already conducting English and a few diploma Diploma/Certificate
courses. in Russian, French, German) (4) Department
of Linguistics Diploma in Speech Therapy. (already conducting
PhD, M.Phil. and M.A. Linguistics)
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The
Institute of Home Science The Institute of Home Science
has been conducting Home Science courses for B.A., B.Sc.,
M.A., and M.Sc. degrees - each of two years' duration
divided into four semesters. From the current session,
the University has introduced a 3-year B.Sc. Specialised
Courses as also M.Sc. Specialised courses in various fields,
e.g. Child Development, Foods and Nutrition etc. Besides,
the Institute's activities have been extended, to the
conducting and guiding of research in various areas of
Home Science, e.g. Child Development, Food & Nutrition,
etc.
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Department
of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension National
Adult Education Programme had been in force in the University
for a number of years, but it did not prove very effective.
This has now been streamlined and expanded, and the Department
of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension has been
established to conduct the three-phased programme under
the scheme sponsored by the University Grants Commission
under Point No.16 of the New 20-Point Programme of the
Hon'ble Prime Minister. The Department has set up 340
centres of Adult and Continuing Education within the territorial
jurisdiction of the University. The scheme aims at planning,
involvement of students and teachers effectively in the
eradication of illiteracy; providing special attention
towards programmes for women, scheduled castes/tribes,
the handicapped and people from the rural, backward and
slum areas; relating the programmes directly to the needs,
interests, aspirations and life-situations of the learners
and to the national goals of socio-economic development
through a process of operational linkages with the development
programmes; helping in the acquisition of basic literacy
skills, effective post-literacy follow up and continuing
education, so as to bring the learners in the ambit of
life-long learning process. The ultimate goal is to bring
about a transformation of society through a change of
attitude and through imparting training to working people.
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Coaching
Centres for Competitive Examinations Agra was conspicuously
lacking in providing effective coaching to the candidates
for competitive examinations. This is why only a small
percentage of candidates for competitive examinations
from Agra Region got into Central and State Administrative
and Allied Services. Considering this fact, the University
has introduced the system of setting-up coaching classes
for various categories of candidates. The centres already
functioning and the competitive examinations covered by
them are detailed below :
(1) Coaching Centre for weaker (i) I.A.S. and Allied Services
sections amongst Minorities Competitive Examination (Under
the scheme sponsored (ii) State Administrative Services
by the Ministry of Education Competitive Exam. through
U.G.C., New Delhi, (Executive/Judicial). under Point No.11
of the 15- (iii) Banking Service Competitive Point Programme
of the Govt. Examinations. of India) (iv) C.P.M.T. (v)
Entrance Test for admission to Eng. Colleges. (2) Coaching
Centre for (i) P.C.S. (Executive/Judicial) Scheduled Castes/Tribes
Service Competitive Exam. (Under the scheme sponsored
(ii) Banking Service Competitive by the Ministry of Home
Affairs, Exam. Govt. of India, under Point No. Note: 7
of the New 20-Point The Ministry's scheme does not programme
of Govt. of India) provide for coaching for I.A.S. Competitive
Exam. (3) Coaching Centre for Central All competitive
examination Category of Candidates covered by the Coaching
centre (Under the University's own for Minorities. scheme)
12. Special Cell for Scheduled Castes/Tribes It is also
praiseworthy that Prof. Mathur was able to obtain sanction
and financial help from the U.G.C. and the Central Government
for establishing a Special Cell for Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes to help and guide them and to redress
all their problems relating to their admissions, reservations,
scholarships, financial assistance and training and employment.
This cell is proving a boon to the candidates of these
castes and tribes and is yielding the desired results.
The Affiliating Wing The Affiliating wing of the University
was given equal consideration by Prof. Mathur. There are
49 Colleges affiliated to the University and they are
spread all over the Agra region, and the Homeopathic Medical
Colleges affiliated to it are spread all over the State.
These Colleges face numerous problems - some problems
being common to all, some being individual problems. As
such, an urgent need was felt for setting up a central
coordinating body to organise and co-ordinate the activities
of the affiliating Colleges. The College Development Council
To meet this problem Prof. Mathur approached the U.G.C.
to set up a College Development Council in the University.
Consequently, the U.G.C. approved the setting up of such
a Council under a whole-time Director. The objective of
this Council was to facilitate and help the affiliated
Colleges in the framing and approval of their various
developmental plans and schemes. This Council functions
as a link between the Colleges, the Residential Wing of
the University, the U.G.C. and the State Government. This
Council greatly helped the Colleges under the COHIPS,
COSHIPS, Faculty Improvement Programme and several other
schemes sponsored by the U.G.C. and the State and Central
Government. This was a unique achievement of Prof. Mathur
as the Vice-Chancellor. Academic Environment and Regularisation
of the Session The most important contribution of Prof.
Mathur as Vice-Chancellor, however, was the creation of
peaceful academic environment in the University and affiliated
Colleges, implementation of the academic calendar and
regularisation of the academic session. The academic sessions
prior to Prof. Mathur taking over as Vice-Chancellor were
lamentably disturbed and delayed. The sessions started
late in November or even December. Prof. Mathur resolved
to regularize the sessions at any cost because without
regular and undisturbed sessions, no proper academic environment
could be created. Through slow and persistent efforts
the desired goal was achieved with the result that the
session 1983-84 started in August 1983, 1984-85 started
in the third week of July 1984, and the session 1985-86
started on July 8, 1985. This was indeed a great achievement,
though this could not be maintained after Prof. Mathur's
first term in office ending in October 1985. The Interim
Period The interim period of a little more than three
years between Prof. Mathur's two terms in office as Vice-Chancellor
was a period of lull and retrogression. Many of the steps,
academic as well as administrative, taken by Prof. Mathur
had either been withdrawn or crippled by his successors
in the interim period. The University had gone back by
decades. Back on the Track Prof. Mathur assumed office
as Vice-Chancellor for the second term on the 28th April,
1988. The first task that he applied himself to was to
bring the University back on the track and to restore
normalcy. Having done preliminary work, he again undertook
a number of projects to promote the academic and administrative
tone and environment in the University. Institute of Vocational
Studies Prof. Mathur gave top priority to stream-lining
and further expanding the job-oriented P.G. Diploma courses.
For this purpose he approached the U.G.C. and the State
Government to set up a full-fledged Institute of Vocational
Studies. Without waiting for their approval which normally
takes time, Prof. Mathur set up the Institute with the
approval of the Executive Council. Detailed Ordinances
and syllabi in consultation with the experts in each field
were framed and implemented. The following P.G. Diploma
or Degree Courses were started under this Institute: 1.
Hotel and Tourism Management 2. Archives and Museology
3. Electronics 4. Clinical Chemistry 5. Computer Programming
& Decision Sciences 6. Social Forestry and Environment
7. Business Management 8. Accountancy 9. Administrative
and Official Hindi 10. Translation 11. Journalism 12.
Adult and Continuing Education (Certificate Course) 13.
Adult and Continuing Education (Diploma Course) 14. Continuing
Education and Extension 15. B.Lib Science and Manuscriptology
16. B.P.Ed.
All these were self-financing
courses. Admissions were given to these courses on the basis
of written competitive Test and Interview. These courses proved
highly popular and the candidates holding these diplomas were
well received by various employment agencies. In order to
further expand and popularize these courses, the affiliated
colleges were also permitted to open these courses on the
condition that they fulfilled the prescribed terms and conditions.
Several important colleges opened some of these courses. Three-Year
Degree Courses The U.G.C. had recommended three-year Degree
Courses for all Universities in the country several years
earlier. Most of the Universities had adopted the three-year
system, but Agra University had not been able to adopt it.
The result was that several Universities and Service Commissions
refused to accept our Degrees. Prof. Mathur took immediate
steps to adopt three-year Degree Courses in all Faculties.
The University also started awarding Honours Degrees. In order
to tone up the academic standards, the system of admission
through competitive examination and interview was adopted
for all job-oriented courses, B.Ed., B.Lib. Science, LL.B.
and all courses in the Faculties of Science and Commerce.
For the same end in view, unit system in the syllabi and examination
Papers was also adopted. All these measures went a long way
in raising the academic standards of the University. Research
A University is primarily known by the quality of its research
work. Prof. Mathur made admirable efforts to promote research
both in quality and quantity. He revised and updated the Statutes
and Ordinances relating to research, giving special attention
to Comparative and Inter-Disciplinary research. In the Faculties
of Science, Mathematics, Medicine, Psychology, Sociology etc.
he encouraged and promoted research of practical value and
utility. Financial Stability Financial constraints stand in
the way of development of every educational institution. Every
University in Uttar Pradesh is facing financial crisis and
deficit. The deficit of Agra University had accumulated to
about Rs. 1.20 crores when Prof. Mathur assumed office. He
made all out efforts to secure grants and financial aid from
all sources - the State Government, the Central Government
and the U.G.C. He also generated finances from several self-financing
courses with the result that before he laid down the reins
he completely made up the deficit of Rs. 1.20 corers and also
left a surplus of Rs. 20 lacs. This was a great achievement
through such a grave financial crisis. Other Achievements
The University during Prof. Mathur's tenure did not keep itself
confined within the ivory tower of mere academics. It performed
many remarkable things in the socio-cultural fields at the
national and international levels. It celebrated with great
zeal and gusto the Nehru Centenary celebrations spread over
a whole year. The celebrations included Youth Festivals, a
series of lectures, debates and seminars, a Model Parliament,
a very prestigious Nehru Exhibition and above all the publication
of a Nehru Centenary Souvenir. The University also hosted
an International Child-Care Meet, Indo-Soviet Friendship Meet
presided over by Soviet Vice-President, and many more such
functions. These were the achievements of Prof. Mathur during
his two terms in office as the Vice-Chancellor. No other Vice-Chancellor
of Agra University has enjoyed so much of popularity and celebrity,
so much of fame and honour, and so much of result-oriented
and fruitful tenure in office.
A Multidimensional Personality
The life and character, achievements and acquisitions, thoughts
and philosophies of a multidimensional personality like Dadaji
cannot be summed up in a brief biographical sketch like the
present one. Even volumes would fall short in containing and
assessing him. The blending and balancing of head and heart,
spirituality and intellect, spirit and matter, munificence
and renunciation, splendour and asceticism is a rare of the
rarest phenomena. Such a rare phenomenon is Prof. Agam Prasad
Mathur. His life is a living testimony to Tennyson's immortal
lines: "Let knowledge grow from more to more, But more
of reverence in us dwell; That mind and soul, according well,
May make one music as before." This is only what I know
of Prof. Mathur but much more of him is outside my knowledge.
His followers and disciples, running into lacs, hold him
in highest veneration and reverence. To them he is their most
revered 'Guru', their spiritual head, their moral succour
and support, their harbour and rock of shelter to land upon.
They look up to him and are spiritually fed by him. He is
their pole star and their lighthouse. I bow my head to such
a sage in all reverence and veneration. These, my stray thoughts,
are my offerings and adorations on his sixty-fifth birthday
with earnest prayers to Radhasoami Dayal that we may celebrate
many more of his birthdays in the same spirit.
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