IT Secretary and In-charge Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Jayesh Ranjan, would volunteer to ‘try out’ a credit-based system of education at the varsity which would boost the entrepreneurial spirit of the students without compromising on academics. Mr. Ranjan was speaking on the sidelines of the four-day workshop on Thursday.
He observed that in other countries, students can drop a course or two if they were working in a start-up or were entrepreneurs. These courses can be ‘replaced’ by means of credits. Citing the examples of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, who dropped out of universities to pursue their respective ideas, the credit system would ensure that students with entrepreneurial spirit do not drop out.
“We want to create a situation in which they don’t drop out. If you have an idea, pursue that as you will get some relief, and balance your studies and get marks,” he said.
Mr. Ranjan said he has been pursuing the matter with the Telangana State Council for Higher Education for around two years. He said now, in the capacity of In-charge Vice-Chancellor of JNTU, he can ‘push’ for it.
Speaking on the construction of T-Hub phase-II, Mr. Ranjan said initially, the government plans to construct a space which is equal to that of T-Hub on IIIT campus. He also said around 60% of the work has been done as part of the T-Fibre project. Half of the remaining work would be completed by the year-end. The State government has a meeting scheduled with the Department of Telecommunications later this week to discuss project approvals.
