Mumbai: As SNDT University, the first women’s university in India, completed 100 years on July 5, 2016, the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Shashikala Wanjari, said her motto is to work for the cause of women.
“I would like to focus on dropouts because that is what will give the answer to all questions,” she said. “If the rate of dropouts is more, then we need to think what is wrong,’ she added, emphasising that it was too early for her to get deep into the problem. A report submitted to National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has brought out the issue of dropouts in the women’s university.
Saying that she wanted to see more women stand on their own feet, she said, “I want the ratio of intake and enrollment to match.”
Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao had announced the appointment of Dr Wanjari on July 2. She succeeds Prof Vasudha Kamat whose term ended on May 13. Mumbai University VC Dr Sanjay Deshmukh was officiating as the VC in the interim period.
Dr Wanjari obtained her M.Sc in Biochemistry and further took her M.A. in English and M.Ed. from RTM Nagpur University. She later obtained Phd in Education.
The Governor had set up a search committee under the chairmanship of retired chief justice of Rajasthan High Court Justice Jagadish Bhalla to select a new VC for the university in April this year. The Governor announced the selection of Dr Shashikala Wanjari after interviewing all candidates recommended by the committee.
In 1916, SNDT University had made a humble beginning with just five girl students.
