Careers 360 - July 2021

INDIA'S BEST UNIVERSITIES 2023

100 public and 35 private universities ranked overall; 665 universities ranked across 11 academic domains.

'THE UNIVERSITY IS A PLACE FOR UNIVERSAL THINKING'

In June 2022, University of Lucknow became the first state university in Uttar Pradesh to secure an A++ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). LU will introduce a Faculty of Agriculture this year and has constituted a committee to guide the introduction of dual-degree and one-year postgraduate programmes, both recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020. Alok Kumar Rai joined LU as vice-chancellor in December 2019 and was re-appointed in December 2022. Edited excerpts from his conversation with Careers360 below.

A BUSINESS OF HER OWN

IIM Bangalore's business incubator, NSRCEL, has been supporting women entrepreneurs. Meet some of the business owners and their ventures.

'A WAY TO LIVE WITH EACH OTHER'

Graduation ceremonies, picnics, dealing with local authorities - how foreign students' associations and collectives help overseas students settle in.

CREATING A SAFE SPACE

A handful of Indian educational institutions, including IIT Delhi and NALSAR Hyderabad, have introduced gender-neutral toilets and spaces.

'LONG WAY TO GO'

Disabled students are bullied and harassed on campuses and get little support. The number of disabled persons in higher education has dropped 14% from 2019-20 to 2020-21.

EMPTY SEATS BUT GREATER DIVERSITY

How has switching to a national exam for admissions impacted central universities across the country?

'WE'RE LIVING ON PAST SAVINGS'

Public universities are left finding ways to be thrifty and generate income as their funding needs far outstrip government budgets.

MANY HOPES PINNED ON VD COLLEGE

Once VD College is upgraded, it will become the first state-run, affiliating university in South Bihar. The region, one of the most backward in the country, needs it.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR COLLEGE YEARS

The years of undergraduate studies can be utilised to set a solid foundation for a successful career even for those in non-professional courses. Here's how.