Web-discussion on perception of university

Chandigarh: Panjab University Alumni Association (PUAA) in collaboration with UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh organized a web-discussion on "Perception of a University: An image and its creation" with an objective to try to catch the essence of what is perception and how is it created, with the aim to zero in on some to-do actions which we can immediately implement or work upon to make Panjab University top ranking not only on the ranking charts but also in the minds and hearts of all its stakeholders, shared Prof. Deepti Gupta, Dean Alumni Relations, PU. She added that Universities just as individuals are judged and ranked not only on their quantitative performance but also on the intangible aspects of perception.
The experts belonged to three different but complimentary domains of Higher Education, Mass communication and Psychology- which are needed to have a 360 degree view of Perception. Padmashri Prof VS Chauhan, Former Director, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, Consultant with MHRD, UGC, NIRF, NAAC, spoke on how perceptions are measured. Prof Chauhan stated that creation of a good public perception is not something which can be done overnight. It is a long haul and includes recruitment and retaining of good faculty, creating better physical infrastructure and having long term plans for the next 20-30 years.  
Prof Varsha Singh, Faculty in Psychology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, pondered on the psychological aspects of perception formation According to her, perception are formed when we evaluate, judge and assign value to what we see, by imaginatively filling in information gaps in a basic, simple way.  
To see media as a collaborator, positioning University news and information with conviction and critical, analytical thinking by the University authorities were emphasised as the ways to enhance public perception, was the take of Prof Gita Bemzai, Faculty, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. She also highlighted that creation of perceptions is not manipulative or persuasive but ethical, genuine and value based.
Prof Raj Kumar, VC, Panjab University, Chandigarh, initiated and participated in the discussion alongwith Prof Deepti Gupta, Dean, PUAA and Prof Ashish Jain, Director, IQAC.  
Prof SK Tomar Director, HRDC, PU presented the Vote of Thanks and wished that such collaborations would continue in the future also. Sonia Chandel, PUAA representative provided the technical support for the online platform.