Pune: Dr Bhushan Patwardhan, a professor at the Interdisciplinary School of Health Science Department at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has been appointed as the vice chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Patwardhan has a huge experience of research work which he garnered while working as an advisor for the World Health Organisation (WHO) for almost three decades. He has also carried out the responsibility of being the vice-chancellor (VC) of Symbiosis University (Deemed to be) earlier.

“I believe that I got this great opportunity because of the research work that I did extensively in the SPPU with the support and help from the vice-chancellor as well as my colleagues,” expressed Patwardhan while reacting to the appointment. He further said, “There was a need to raise the quality of higher education. For this, everyone, all the stakeholders, need to work together. Especially, SPPU needs to take a major part in this oncoming change. The responsibility that I have been given is no doubt huge, but I hope that with cooperation from everyone, I will find it easier.”

Dr Nitin Karmalkar, VC, SPPU said, “The university is very proud and happy about Patwardhan’s appointment as the vice chairman of the UGC. The various new projects and initiatives taken up by the SPPU will now get a new renewed backing. Also, all the other universities in the country will be benefited by Dr Patwardhan’s experience.”