ERA OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

JNU STUDENTS KNOW THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE BEST MINDS IN VARIOUS FIELDS. THIS YEAR, THE VARSITY IS ALSO EXPANDING INTO THE E-LEARNING SEGMENT

- Sonali Acharjee

Despite the many controversies that have roiled its campus in the past few years, Jawaharlal Nehru University, or JNU as it is popu­larly known, remains the preferred destination for students pursuing social sciences or applied sciences. Admissions seem to be getting tougher every year with more and more app­lications pouring in. While five years ago, an average of 20 candidates competed for a seat, today the average is 40. Some courses, such as a master’s in International Relations, one of the oldest courses at JNU, see intense competition with nearly 220 students competing for a single seat. “We remain the best university for social sciences study and research in the country. Students want to come here not just because of JNU’s reputation but also because they know we provide access to the best minds in various fields,” says vice-chancellor and alumna Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit. “JNU is a different world altogether. Students who come here find it difficult to leave because the atmosphere of intellectual debate and diversity is addictive.”