The department of Persian, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), in collaboration with All India Teachers Association and Iran Culture House is going to organise a three-day international Persian convention from December 12-14. According to the BHU spokesperson, about 175 delegates from different parts of the country and abroad would attend the convention.

Felicitation: The Students Council of BHU would hold a function on December 15 to felicitate the winner university team in the East Zone Inter-University Youth Festival organised at Manipur University, Imphal from December 2-6.

Banaras Hindu University V-C DP Singh released MUMBAI 26/11 The Untold Story, a book on recent Mumbai terrorist attack at a special function held at V-C Lodge in the university.

According to varsity spokesperson, the book, probably among the first work on the Mumbai attack, is a candid piece of work by first time writer Mayank Narayan Singh who is an assistant registrar in BHU.

The 80-page book focuses on the spirit which has made India survive in spite of centuries’ invasions and communicates the blooming of hope amongst clattering guns and grenades.

Rector, BHU BD Singh, registrar KP Upadhyaya, chief proctor HCS Rathod and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Prof SP Singh of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Banaras Hindu University has been elected the general secretary of BHU University Club during its general body meeting held in the university.
According to varsity spokesperson, a number of members including Dr CK Behera of Institute of Technology was elected treasurer and Dr SP Mathur of department of Radiology, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) was elected as auditor of the club.

Vice-chancellor, BHU DP Singh announced an amount of Rs 50,000 to the club on the occasion.

The 10-day training programme for farmers hailing from Gaya (Bihar), organised at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), concluded.

Addressing the concluding function, director Prof Shivraj Singh highlighted the role of agriculture in country’s economy and said proper management in farming could further improve the situation.

The training programme included new inputs of recent developments in the field of agriculture from agriculture scientists of the university. The farmers also made a visit to the agricultural farms of the university. The training programme was organized in collaboration with the Agriculture Technology Management Association (ATMA), Bihar.

The concluding function was presided over by the dean Prof Ram Pratap Singh while Prof NS Jadaun gave certificates to the participating farmers. The function was also addressed by Prof Arun Kumar Singh, head, department of extension education, and Dr OP Mishra.

Prof Neelam Mittal, dean and head, faculty of dental sciences, Institute of Medical Science, Banaras Hindu University, has been selected as the Fellow of International College of Dentists (India, Sri Lanka and Nepal section).
According to the BHU spokesperson, the fellowship would be awarded to Mittal at the annual convocation and award function at New Delhi on April 12.

An academic exchange programme between the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and St George’s University of London is likely to begin soon. 
Prof Sean Hilton, the executive head of St George’s University of London, was at BHU on a three-day visit. During his stay, Prof Hilton visited several departments of Institute of Technology, and Institute of Medical Science like pharmacy, bio-chemical, bio-medical. He interacted with the heads and faculty members, showing keen interest in different fields of medicine.
According to the BHU spokesperson, Hilton showed special interest in management of data of clinical investigation, urology, cardiology, ayurveda, trauma centre, prevention of diseases. He visited Sir Sunder Lal hospital and its operation theatres and held a series of discussion with various consultant. Earlier, a meeting was held with BHU vice-chancellor Prof DP Singh. The meeting was also attended by the dean and directors of IMS, IT and Faculty of Sciences.
“It was tentatively agreed upon that British medical students would be trained at BHU and the BHU medical students would be trained at St George’s University of London,” informed Prof Rajesh Singh, the chairman of press publication and publicity cell of BHU. According to him, the BHU V-C recently attended a meeting arranged by the UGC in New Delhi to explore and discuss the area of collaborations with the 15 universities of United Kingdoms, selected by the British Government, and the 15 universities selected by the Government of India.

The UGC assigned the autonomous organisation, National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), New Delhi, to make 15 groups of one British University and another Indian University each to explore possible areas of interest. The groups were formed on the university specialisation and mutual interest. In the process, the Banaras Hindu University was grouped with St George’s University of London. According to him, this British University is ranked second best in United Kingdom, particularly in the field of medical sciences, pharmacy, bio-medical, bio-chemical.

The government has assigned NUEPA to provide framework and other necessary details to expedite these 15 collaborations between the Indian and British universities. This effort of the government is being viewed as a serious homework to prepare the platform to accept and meet the challenges in global higher education.

The deputy principal (pro vice chancellor) St Georges University of London, Prof Sean Hilton arrived at BHU. He attended a meeting  at the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU).
During meeting he interacted with the faculty members and took note of the academic activities at the institute. Later he also visited the Faculty of Science and the Institute of Medical Science (IMS). Earlier, he called on the vice chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Prof. DP Singh. Before leaving the city he will also visit the Sir Sunderlal Hospital of BHU.

European Community, Belgium has awarded Prof. VK Srivastava, department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Technology, BHU, with Erasmus Scholar Award for 2008-2010 for expertise given to the staff and students of Technical University of Humburg, Denmark University and Portugal University in the area of advanced composite materials.
According to BHU spokesperson, Prof. Srivastava will organise all the research activities at Technical University of Humburg, Humburg, Germany. He is actively involved for the development of high temperature ceramic composites. The US Airforce, USA and JSPS, Japan have sanctioned international project to repair the defects of space shuttle during flight. The US airforce had always invited him under WOS programme to visit US Airforce Research Institute. Prof. Srivastava has also received various prestigious awards and fellowship to work at UK, Germany, France, Japan and the USA.

The centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Banaras Hindu University, organised a three-day programme on  `Unstructured dialogue on issues of social exclusion’, from March 23 to 25.
According to the coordinator Prof. Ajit K Pandey, in the dialogue there was cross sectional representation of academicians, bureaucrats, police, NGOs, and the discussion would revolve around various issues like gender, caste, religious minorities, tribes and disabled persons.

Dr MK Agrawal, head of department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University has been recently awarded ‘Agra Bibhushan’ by Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari in New Delhi.
It may be mentioned here that the award constituted by All India Agrawal Sammelan, New Delhi has been given to only six persons in the country so far.

The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is first such university in the country that introduces environmental calendar to sensitise its students and faculties towards a safer environment.

The environmental calendar is a part of BHU’s proposed institute of environment and sustainable development for which the University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated Rs 7.50 crore. The IESD will be the fourth institute of BHU that already has Institute of Technology (IT), Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) and Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS).
“The mission of the proposed institute is to carry out teaching, research and extension relevant to India’s sustainable development,” said vice-chancellor Prof DP Singh. This educational effort will encourage changes in behaviour that will create a more sustainable future in terms of environmental integrity, economic viability and a just society for the present and future generations.
According to the V-C, the institute will work for a better understanding of critical scientific and social issues related to sustainable development goals. By doing so, the BHU is taking a lead in teaching and research in the field of environment and sustainability science. It will provide a common platform where faculty from different departments will work in interface areas leading to sustainable development.
The main research priorities set for the institute include global change and atmospheric pollution, natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, alternate energy resources and socio-economic and legal dimensions of sustainable development. The institute will contribute to inter-disciplinary education and research offering PhD, MSc, diploma and certificate programmes.