Probably for the first time in Indian educational history, a university is adopting a brand image. A pet project of the new vice-chancellor, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, may soon adopt the brand name of 'MSU First.'
Manoj Soni, 39, former reader with the Sardar Patel University, Anand, joined the MS University as its youngest VC on last Saturday.
One of his priorities is to build a brand image for the university with over 36,000 students.
"I am here with only one mission and that is 'MSU First'. However, it is too premature to talk about the future plans. "But I am clear about creating a think tank to fulfill my mission. The team will comprise eminent personalities from across the nation. I first want to create a team and let them design the road map for the university," said Soni.
However, educationists in the state also point to Soni's image as a pro-BJP academician and his closeness to state education minister Anandi Patel for his meteoric rise.
In fact, in one his articles, Soni had given clean chit to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for the riots that swept the state in the aftermath of Godhra train carnage.
Reacting on reports about his links with Patel, Soni says, "Manoj Soni is just an individual and people have all freedom to dishonour him. But M S University does not deserve ill-fame. People should not involve the university in the issue."
About the role of think tank in the future of the M S University Soni said, "The team of experts will be invited to look into the various areas of our functioning. Noted personalities from the field of education will take care of resources, new resource generation and proper utilisation, academic audit and research.
