Lucknow — Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal , the second woman to serve as Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) in its 97-year history, visited Amity University, Lucknow Campus, and interacted with the Heads of Departments (HoDs) and Heads of Institutions (HoIs).
On this occasion, Vice Chancellor of Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Balvinder Shukla; Pro Vice Chancellor of Amity University Lucknow Campus, Dr. Anil Vashisth; Deputy Pro VC, Dr. Anil Tiwari; and Dean Academics, Dr. Rajesh Tiwari, were also present.
Before joining AIU, Dr. Mittal served in the higher education sector for over three decades, primarily at the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India — the apex regulatory body for higher education. In 2008, at the young age of 44, she became the first regular Vice Chancellor of Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur — the first rural women’s university in North India. There, she undertook the formidable task of transforming a small Gurukul into a reputed institution. Under her leadership, the university implemented several innovative practices and reforms, evolving into a rural, residential, multi-faculty state university dedicated to holistic education for 7,000 girls from kindergarten to PhD level.
During her interaction with the HoDs and HoIs, Dr. Mittal emphasized the importance of universities actively contributing to the holistic development of students, as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. She highlighted that the NEP encourages students to pursue internships in every semester, viewing internships as a key tool to provide practical exposure and reinforce subject understanding.
She also underlined the necessity for capacity-building programs for faculty to stay abreast of the latest pedagogical methods and academic advancements. Additionally, she discussed the Academic Blend of Credits (ABC), the flipped classroom model, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning environments.
On this occasion, Dr. Balvinder Shukla , Vice Chancellor of Amity University Uttar Pradesh, stated that the university is committed to the holistic development of its students and will remain at the forefront in implementing all provisions of the New Education Policy.”
Dr. Mittal’s inspiring presence and insightful interaction were not only a matter of pride for Amity University but also significantly contributed to advancing innovation and excellence in the field of higher education.”
