'90% are first-generation graduates'

Ajeya Jha, vice chancellor of Arunachal University of Studies, one of the first private universities in the northeastern state, shares how the university has been catering to the first generation learners of the remote area since 2012. Speaking to Shradha Chettri, Jha explains how NAAC follows a very rigid system which then makes universities like his difficult to get a good score. He also spoke about the challenges of NEP implementation. Edited excerpts:

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Q. Why was Arunachal Pradesh selected as the state to start the university?

A. This university basically functions on the concept of Antyodaya, where we believe that the most marginalised people need to be brought up on the economic ladder. If you look at Arunachal Pradesh it has been the last marginalised area. It is even 10 years behind states like Manipur and Nagaland. We came over here because there were absolutely no avenues for people over here. We were the first university to be established in the eastern part of the state. I am also very proud of the fact that 90% of our graduates are first generation graduates.

Q. Since it was established in 2012, how do you view the growth of the university?

A. It was a very small beginning and initially it was very difficult to survive. There was hardly anything over here. We started with less than 100 students but now we have 4,700 on campus.

We have a very reasonable fee structure. It ranges from Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.1,40,000 for a year. It includes books, and laptops also in some cases. We also provide merit-cum-means scholarships to students and at least 25% to 30% of students are studying on scholarships.

Q. Students in your university are mostly from Arunachal or from other parts of the country as well?

A. Students mostly are from Arunachal, Assam and other northeastern states. In Arunachal there are 26 major tribes and about 76 minor tribes. They speak different languages and so that diversity is something to be cherished in the university.

We have students from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and northern states as well. We are also very proud of the fact that we have students from Andaman and Nicobar too.

Q. What is the gender ratio of students at the university?