The Governor of Uttarakhand Baby Rani Maurya declared the establishment of the prestigious Dr Ambedkar Chair in the Doon University here on Friday. The Chair would be financed by the union ministry of social development and empowerment. The governor also announced setting up of a research and innovation centre, starting of BSc integrated biological sciences, one year certificate course on Garhwali, Kumauni and Jaunsari languages, two year PG programme on folk arts of Uttarakhand, MA/ MSc in Home science and BA honours programme in Psychology in the university.

Speaking at the ceremony organised on the occasion, the governor said that one seat in every course of the Doon university would be kept reserved for the students rendered orphaned by the pandemic of Covid-19.

She said that the Dr Ambedkar chair would involve research and teaching on women empowerment, social justice, human rights and caste based discrimination. She said that the universities should play an important role in realising the dreams of Dr Ambedkar.

The Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that it is a matter of great pride that the Doon University has been selected for the Dr Ambedkar Chair. He appreciated the efforts done by the Doon University in the field of higher education. CM assured that a budget would be provided for building of the library in the university.

He said that his Government is committed to ensuring quality of work in every field and soon a high level meeting would be called for suggesting improvement in quality in higher education. He claimed that all the announcements would be completed in a time bound frame and expressed confidence that Uttarakhand would become a leading state in the sectors of tourism, higher education, agriculture and roads by the year 2027.  He said that the State Government has prepared a road map for linking more than 10 lakh people with employment and the state government has decided to fill the vacant posts in different departments. Dhami said that the state government has decided to provide financial help of Rs 50000 to students preparing for National Defence Academy (NDA) and Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination interviews and those who have passed the preliminary examination of Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

He added that a package of Rs 200 Crore has been given to the persons associated with the tourism industry and more 1.65 lakh people would benefit from it.

The Higher Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that a Chair named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would also be set up in Doon University. He informed that the building of Dr Nityanand Himalayan research and study centre would soon get completed.

The Dharampur MLA Vinod Chamoli, director of Dr Ambedkar Foundation Dr D P Manjhi, vice chancellor (VC) of Doon University Surekha Dangwal, Registrar S S Mandarwal and others were present on the occasion.