On September 30, Sonipat, Haryana based OP Jindal Global University hosted a lively celebration to mark it’s 8th anniversary. Mariela Cruz Alvarez, ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica and Kewal Kumar Sharma, IAS, secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development Government of India graced the University Day celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said, “Private sector by itself, on sideline has been promoting absolutely outstanding institutions. The recent years has seen a surge in the private sector to promote institutions of excellence.”
He lauded the vision and initiative of chancellor Naveen Jindal and vice chancellor Dr. C. Raj Kumar which have translated into reality with the university achieving great heights within a short span of eight years. He said, “The initiative demonstrated by private sector needs to be commended by us as citizen as well by the government.”
Sharma also opined that as we encourage our students to do well in academics by ‘learning the tools of excellence’, we also have to ensure that universities produce ‘global citizen, who is conscious of global requirement, peace, contributing to others and compassionate’.
Congratulating the university, Alvarez spoke about Costa Rica’s focus on education, healthcare and environment. It deserves mention that Costa Rica had decided to reallocate its resources on health, education and environment instead of military.
Quoting from Bhagwad Gita, Alvarez said that as teachers, our role is to ignite students’ mind with larger sense of purpose and focus. World class universities need to transmit that passion and focus in interactions with young minds. “A person who is awake, not in denial and ready to give the very best, one who is proactive, motivated, vulnerable, feel other people’s suffering, open minded and sensitive,” she added.
Commenting on Costa Rica being a country without army, she said, “Being defenseless is our best defense. The decision we took in 1948 reaffirmed our commitment to the higher principles of life. We embarked on the task to unlock the full potential of our citizens”.
On the occasion, Dr. Raj Kumar said, “JGU aspires to be a role model for institutional excellence in higher education among leading institutions in the world as a multidisciplinary, research driven university fostering excellence in teaching, research, community service, and capacity building and nurturing socially responsible leaders through an eclectic and sustainable approach serving the local and regional communities”.
He also expressed a sense of pride at being awarded the number 1 rank at the recently held Swachhta Rankings 2017, of all higher education institutions in India. OP Jindal Global University is recognised as the cleanest university/higher education institution in India by the Government of India.
He further added that the university seeks to build bridges across nations, working with national, international, and governmental organisations, NGOs, and business organisations.
JGU over the past eight years has established six schools: Jindal Global Law School (JGLS), Jindal Global Business School (JGBS), Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA), Jindal School of Government and Public Policy (JSGP), Jindal School of Liberal Arts & Humanities (JSLH), and Jindal School of Journalism & Communication (JSJC). The schools offer undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.
With 3500 students, a faculty-student ratio of 1:13 and offering 15 programmes, the university has been setting examples of excellence in higher education.
JGU’s robust global partnerships are designed to create opportunities for students and faculty members to expand their learning and research horizons. Since 2009, JGU established more than 195 collaborations with leading universities and institutions in more than 47 countries.
The university has 300 faculty members out of which 72 percent hold degrees from prominent global institutions.
The collaborations take the form of faculty and student exchange programmes, joint research and publication activities, summer and winter schools, and dual degree programmes with institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Columbia, Michigan, among others.