Freshers’ Meet for the year 2015 was organized at the DST auditorium on August 18. Mr CV Anand, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad Commissionerate, and Mr Shashidhar Reddy, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police, Madhapur Zone, were chief guests for the occasion.
The Dean of Student’s Welfare, Prof Prakash Babu welcomed guests and first year students and congratulated them for getting through on merit. He asked students to make judicious use of the facilities available and reach out to faculty and management whenever needed.
Mr Vincent Benny, Students’ Union President, also welcomed the students on behalf of the Students’ Union. He appreciated the fact that the University was home to a mini India with people from different communities and culture. He claimed the Union to be a link between the management and students and that they would be available for any kind of assistance.
Dr P Rajasree, Chief Medical Officer, listed out the provisions available for students such as a self-sufficient medical lab, x-ray equipment, ambulance and fitness centers. She also mentioned the availability of an eye specialist, orthopaedician, physiotherapist, psychiatrist and psychologist and encouraged students to not hesitate in availing any sort of medical help.
The Chief Warden, Dr G Nagaraju, highlighted the hostel facilities for students and its rules and regulations. He promised to resolve the accommodation issues in the Ladies’ Hostel very soon. He also warned of stringent action and severe punishment for anyone found guilty of ragging.
Prof Lalitha Guruprasad from the Proctorial Board, spoke to the students insisting that they cannot rest on past glory and should instead work towards taking the University to greater heights. She wished that the students concentrate only on their studies and other extra curricular activities. She listed the do’s and don’t’s that students need to follow while on campus and asked them to check it on the University website as well.
Ms Shree Gyanmote, a member of the 15 member GS-CASH committee, assured students that the board was committed to make the University free of sexual harassment. She urged them to know their rights, protect themselves and complain about any sort of unwelcome behaviour immediately for the issue to be addressed.
The University Librarian, Dr N Varatharajan, appealed to the students to use the wide range of resources available at the Library and requested them to maintain books and magazines in a good condition.
Mr Devash Nigam, Joint Registrar, Academics & Examinations, announced that there were 1968 new students enrolled in 110 courses from 12 schools. That brings the total number of students on campus to 4859, comprising of 3054 men and 1805 women. He reminded students that the freedom they are given comes with responsibility and discipline that they should maintain.
Dr T Anupama Row, a member of the Anti-smoking Committee, mentioned the adverse effects of smoking and advised students to stay away from it. She mentioned that smoking or the sale of tobacco on campus is a serious offence and punishable by law.
Mr CV Anand, IPS, welcomed all the students to Hyderabad acknowledging that it was the first visit for a lot of them. He praised the University for being ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the country. He advised students to be careful of the “2500 acres of freedom” given to them and to spend their time productively. He told them to keep themselves busy with studies, sports and other extra curricular activities without indulging in anything unlawful. He wished to see peace prevail over the campus and hoped that students would not do anything that would need intervention from his department.
Mr Shashidhar Reddy, IPS and University alumnus, felt nostalgic and reminisced his days on the campus. He asked students to concentrate on their education and work towards achieving their parents’ aspirations.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof RP Sharma, welcomed the students and stated that a good institution can make a good career and therefore the main objective of the University is ‘learning’. He reminded students to stay within their limits and live harmoniously. He asked them to be focused and live up to their parents’ expectations.
The Meet ended with a vote of thanks by Mr Daniel, Students’ Union General Secretary.
– Shaima Mansoor, Department of Communication