New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to establish 10 chairs in different universities across the country in the name of eminent women from different spheres.
The chairs will engage in research activities, contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the area of study, besides participate in teaching and PhD programme of different departments.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development will be funding the chairs.
- According to a UGC statement, the chairs will be named after:
- Lilavati — Mathematics
- Lal Deb (Lalleshwari) — Poetry and Mysticism
- Amrita Devi (Beniwal) — Forest/Wildlife conservation
- Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar — Administrator
- Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi — Medicine and health
- Hansa Mehta — Educational reform
- Mahadevi Verma — Literature
- Kamala Sohonie — Science
- Rani Gaidinliu — Freedom fighter
- Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshami — Music and performing arts
All the universities who receive grant-in-aid from UGC are eligible to apply for the establishment of the chairs.
Academic functions of the chairs:
1. To strengthen the role of the university in public policymaking.
2. To design and execute short-term capacity building programmes for teachers in higher education focussed towards the designated discipline of the chair.
3. To provide a forum for inter-university/inter-collegiate postgraduate and research level dialogues, discussion meetings, seminars etc.
4. To publish articles, research paper, reports, books and monograms.