Patna: Governor-cum-chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain on Tuesday directed vice-chancellors of universities to maintain regular dialogue with students and ensure time-bound resolution of their grievances, signalling a tougher push for accountability in higher education.Governor’s directive came a day after a joint delegation of students from Patna University and Patliputra University met him and urged intervention in their long-pending demands.At a meeting with the VCs of the two universities at Lok Bhavan, Hasnain said that universities must create an effective grievance-redressal mechanism so that students are not forced to make repeated rounds of offices for routine problems.He ordered universities to set up help desks to resolve problems related to the Samarth portal, particularly errors in students’ names, fathers’ names, dates of birth and certificates. He asked VCs to personally monitor such cases and ensure that students receive assistance without delay.Governor also directed VCs to personally visit university campuses and inspect libraries, hostels and messes, rather than relying solely on reports from officials. Problems identified during such visits should be addressed immediately, he said.“Students’ problems should be resolved through dialogue and democratic means,” governor said, according to an official release.The directions assume significance amid persistent student complaints over administrative delays and unresolved campus issues. Governor’s emphasis on direct interaction and personal monitoring puts the onus squarely on university heads to make grievance redressal more responsive and accountable. Governor’s additional chief secretary Deepak Kumar Singh was also present at the meeting.
