Anand Verghese
Pro-chancellor, Hindustan University, Chennai
Are you satisfied with the importance given to education in the national development agenda?
There is always scope for improvement. But the focus on enhancing the quality and reach of school education, especially at the elementary level, is one of the best proposals of the new NDA government in Delhi.

How best to upgrade government colleges?
By attracting top quality academics and faculty to lead them.

Thinker/philosopher you admire most.
Economist and philosopher Dr. Amartya Sen. I am impressed by his ideas relating to economic and social justice in developing countries.

Your favourite Nobel laureate.
Albert Fert and Peter Grunberg, awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for the discovery of giant magneto resistance (GMR) in 2007.

Your leadership style.
I believe in communicating my vision/goals clearly and setting high standards for all colleagues and employees.

Your favourite book on education.
How Children Succeed (2012) by Paul Toughman.

For or against foreign universities establishing campuses in India?
I take a neutral stand on this issue.

Should education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?
Definitely not. Education expenditure must be increased, but I am sure there are other ways and means to fund education.

How satisfied are you with the progress of Hindustan Group of Institutions?
Very pleased. We have recently launched 35 undergraduate (B. Tech) programmes covering a wide range of engineering and technology disciplines.

Pessimistic or optimistic about Indian higher education?
Very optimistic. The promotion of a number of globally-benchmarked private universities and increasing collaboration between industry and academia are very positive developments.