Gujarat Vidyapith (GV), founded in 1920 in Ahmedabad, is steeped in rich history. Established by Mahatma Gandhi during his stay in Ahmedabad, the university is close to the hallowed Sabarmati Ashram, set up by India’s Father of the Nation over 100 years ago.
Now, the varsity may lose some of its historical identity. According to a report, GV, a deemed university, is keen to move the campus from the existing location. GV officials confirmed that the varsity campus, spread over 21 acres, will be a heritage centre while the academic activities will be shifted to Gandhinagar in an entirely new campus.
During a meeting, chaired by the chancellor and Gujarat governor Acharya Devvrat, it was decided that the varsity would receive Rs 18 crore compensation for the land acquired by the metro rail project.
A three-member committee was set up to look for new land. Similarly, another committee has been instituted to review the restructuring groups of trustees, equality and development and property.
It has emerged that the two other campuses of GV- Randheja and Sadra, which offer bachelors, masters and PhD programmes focussing on rural life, will be merged as one campus.
One trustee was quoted as saying, “There is nothing sensational about it. It is at a nascent stage.”
Another trustee, who didn’t want to be named, said, “When Gandhi started this varsity, it was in the middle of a village and his focus of education was village life. Today, the varsity is in the centre of the city. We are trying to take it back to rural areas so that students can have the kind of environment that Gandhi had envisioned when he started it.”
It’s been reported that many varsity officials have reservations about the move as they believe GV could lose its heritage value.
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