Oxford University VC bowls over local faculty

[sajiv]

Oxford University VC bowls over local faculty

Pune: Hood said his varsity could work with NICMAR in developing case studies

A word of advice about higher education here and an insightful analysis of the game of Cricket there, Dr John Hood, vice-chancellor of the Oxford University, had it all to leave a lasting impression on the faculty of National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR) on Saturday. The faculty members were virtually bowled over by the precise manner in which Hood, chief guest of the convocation ceremony of NICMAR, dealt with their queries, especially when he said that there was no competition to the Oxford as the Oxford model cannot be replicated anywhere else.

A good teacher with professional experience in the field of construction and having played cricket at the university level, Hood's acumen in handling questions on both the subjects left the NICMAR faculty floored.

Chairman of NICMAR board of governors Ajit Gulabchand and director general of NICMAR M G Korgaonker anchored the discussion. Starting with cricket, Hood applauded Indian cricket for conducting Indian Premier League. "It is a brilliant commercial model and has a great potential to globalise the game of cricket," he said. On the current form of the Indian team, he said, "There is rise and fall in the game as is evident by the recent performance of the Australian team. The Indian team should continue the current form for a decade."

He, however, did not hide his love for the five-day form of the game. Hood, who is responsible for revitalising New Zealand cricket in 1990s, said, "With the intellectual elegance attached to the five-day format of the game, it should keep going. I think India, Australia, England, West Indies, South Africa and Pakistan are capable of doing this. However, some changes are required to get the crowds to the stadium."

It was a big 'no' from Hood when asked if Oxford can start some of its full-time courses in India. "Oxford is a different kind of university that believes in the intellectual enrichment of the students. It is possible only with one-to-one interaction of the faculty with the students. The Oxford has developed such a model and it cannot be replicated elsewhere," he said. Hood, however, expressed readiness to work with NICMAR on activities like case study development to provide students with real life experience.

He also shared his experience in the construction field. "Construction is still an immature industry with lacunae like variable efficiency in project procurement and cost control. It has a long way to go," he said.

Source:Indianexpress