Establishment of Chairs in the Name of Eminent Women

• 25 Jan 2020

Why in News

On the occasion of National Girl Child Day (24^th January), the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) have launched an initiative called ‘Establishment of Chairs in the Universities in the name of eminent women administrators, artists, scientists and social reformers’.

• The programme intends to establish 10 chairs across different universities after eminent women to encourage women to pursue higher education and excel in their chosen fields.

Key Points

• Objectives:
  
  • The establishment of chairs will help the universities to recognise women’s contributions and promote female role models in respective fields especially the formulation of public policies.
• Time Period:
  
  • Initially, the chairs will be set up for a period of 5 years.
• Funding:
  
  • Each chair will be funded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (₹50 lakh per year).
• Eligibility:
  
  • All the universities that are eligible to receive grant-in-aid from the UGC are eligible to apply for the establishment of the Chairs.
  • Any scholar or academician in the age group of 55-70 years, with specialisation in their fields, will be eligible for the chair.
  • The selected academicians will be appointed for a period of five years, which can be extended to another five years.
• Functions:
  
  • Engagement in research and, in turn, contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the area of the study.
  • Strengthening the role of university/academics in public policymaking.
  • Designing short-term capacity-building programmes for teachers in higher education.
  • Providing a forum for inter-university/ intercollegiate Post Graduate and Research level dialogues, discussion meetings, seminars.
• Assessment:
  
  • The University will review the progress of the Chair annually and submit a final report on the activities and outcome of the Chair to the UGC after five years.
  • However, the UGC may undertake the exercise of reviewing the Chair for its continuance, at any stage.

Sr.No	Subject	Proposed Name of the Chair
1	Administration	Devi Ahilyabai Holkar A proficient ruler and an erudite politician of Malwa; also known as Malwa queen
2	Literature	Mahadevi Varma A freedom fighter, Hindi poet, academician
3	Freedom Fighter (North East)	Rani Gaidinliu Naga spiritual and political leader who had led a revolt against British rule in India
4	Medicine & Health	Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi India's first woman physician
5	Performing Art	Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi Indian Carnatic singer from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.
6	Forest/Wildlife Conservation	Amrita Devi (Beniwal) She sacrificed her life along with her three daughters to save green trees being felled by the Maharaja of Jodhpur in Marwar, Rajasthan in 1730.
7	Mathematics	Lilavati It is a treatise on mathematics, written by Indian mathematician Bhāskara II's in 1150.
8	Science	Kamala Sohonie The first Indian woman to receive a PhD in a scientific discipline and also paved the way for women to study at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
9	Poetry & Mysticism	Lal Ded Played a lead role in the creation of Vatsun style of mystic poetry.
10	Educational Reforms	Hansa Mehta A social activist, educator and eminent writer.

Source: PIB