JNU seems to be in the habit of keeping the limelight on itself. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been adjudged the winner of two of the three Visitor's awards initiated by President Pranab Mukherjee last year between all the controversies.
JNU bagged the prize under the categories of 'Innovation' and 'Research', while Tezpur University was adjudged the 'Best University.' An announcement was made by the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, March 8. Tezpur University got the award for its academic excellence and overall performance in the year 2015. Rakesh Bhatnagar, a JNU professor, and the Delhi institute's Molecular Parasitology Group were recognised for innovation and research.
Professor Bhatnagar had developed a vaccine and therapeutic antibody against anthrax, and a team of scientists led by Professor Alok Bhattacharya worked on malaria, amoeba and kala-azar parasites, so they were awarded. There were about ten entries in each category and a panel of experts assessed them.
Bhattacharya said that JNU was the right place for comprehensive research on malaria, kala-azar or amoeba.
Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University, Mihir K. Chaudhuri said that the university had produced excellent research while catering to the needs of 3,600 students in a place despite the location being a disadvantage. The awards will be presented next Monday.