Dr. Narendra Nath Dutta is the Chancellor at ADTU, Guwahati. He has completed his MBBS and obtained his Master Degree in ENT. He was awarded the British Commonwealth Fellowship while he was working in Medical College and went for higher training in Micro Surgery of the ear in UK and France. He has worked at prominent medical colleges throughout his career for 14 years. He was a teacher and examiner for UG and PG students in Assam and West Bengal. After Voluntary retirement he started the first corporate hospital of North East India named as downtown hospital in the year 1989. Included in the list of numerous awards and recognitions received by him for his outstanding contribution to the healthcare and education sector are the Distinguished Service Award from Rotary International, The Siksha Vibhushan, etc. Apart from publishing scientific papers at national and international forums, he has also published various articles in Assamese and English in local newspapers and magazines.

ADTU

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“Having a passion for teaching, I always wanted to build a medical college”

I have always been passionate about teaching, so I wanted to create a medical college. After obtaining substantial financial assistance, I constructed a four-story building complex and organized teachers from all departments to set up the college. After nine inspections by MCI, and despite having all facilities available, we were not able to get the final permission. Following various formalities duly observed and approved by the Assam government, we received permission in 2010 to open Assam Down Town University, the second private university of Assam. Being an educator requires upskilling, learning, updating educational content, which keeps me associated with my profession.

What is your philosophy of leadership?

“Motivating oneself and others towards a common vision”

During my 40 years of tenure, I have received numerous leadership training which has helped me to inculcate leadership quality. I strongly believe in ethics and always lead with personal and institutional integrity. I also constantly strive for excellence. The university promotes the provision of mentorship programs for all categories of students, as well as opportunities for ongoing training for everyone. Leading with these qualities inspires my confidence.

What can an inbound student gain from studying here at your university?

“Integrated and eloquent learning opportunities, physical and mental development"

At Assam downtown University, we constantly strive to develop a healthy academic environment for the students. It helps them excel in the field of education but also prepare them to deal with the complexities of our social fabric. Creating opportunities and placements is one of our major focuses. This dedication to academic excellence and social development has resulted in numerous accolades for the university. We have been recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education [AICTE), the Indian Nursing Council (lNC), the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), UGC-Distance Education Bureau, etc. 

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How could your university be more welcoming to students from different backgrounds?

“Students from different ethnic groups are represented on our campus"

As a private university, we have tried to reach out to all sections of society from the very beginning. There are many scholarship programs for meritorious students who need financial assistance. As a result of the initiative, many have graduated and gone on to higher education, and some have been hired by multinational companies.

What do you think your responsibilities to the University and the students are?

“To inspire enthusiasm in students to achieve academic goals”

A Chancellor's role is to instil enthusiasm among the students so they can achieve academic and personal success. Upon leaving the University with a degree in hand, the students are shaped to become socially responsible members of the community. 

What do you see as ADTU’s greatest strengths?

“Our faculty consists of 300 excellent academicians and industry leaders”

  • A unique feature that separates us from other Universities of the state is our picturesque campus of 100 acres in the Panikhaiti hills overlooking the Brahmaputra river. 
  • Students are also aided by more than 300 outstanding faculty members within the university, many of them renowned academicians or top industrialists.
  • The University has a unique academic atmosphere with motivated and enthusiastic managers. The academic Library profoundly encourages the students to choose from a huge variety of books and journals. 
  • It has state of the art facilities like football, basketball, badminton courts, a swimming pool, a yoga centre, a gymnasium and one of a kind amphitheatre for the students.

What are some of the biggest challenges for the higher education sector?

"E-learning eliminates fun group learning, friendship, and team bonding"

The main aim of an educational institute is to shape every individual’s life and career at the same time simultaneously enhancing the skills of young minds. In the present scenario, the biggest challenge for higher education is that the entire education sector has drifted to e-learning. Although virtual education enabled students to learn at home, I believe students would miss out on fun group learning, friendship, understanding, and understanding among their peers. In addition, practical courses such as Nursing and Paramedical require a hands-on approach that can't be provided by e-learning.

Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth?

“Education empowers us to pursue our dreams and achieve excellence”

Educating ourselves is one of the most effective tools for enabling one's desired dreams and goals to come true in the service of a nation. Youth is the most important phase of life, once gone, it cannot be retrieved. Those who are in their youth are the future builders of a nation. I advise them to take advantage of these times to study and gain experience so that they can become good citizens for their families and the country as a whole.

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What are some plans that you’re currently designing for ADTU international affairs?

“MoUs with international universities and institutes of great repute”

We are fortunate to have students from countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Africa. Further, the University has also signed MoUs with international universities/institutes of great repute such as Limerick Institute of Technology of Ireland, Southern University and the Sonargaon University of Bangladesh, Petra Christian University, Krida Wacana Christian University and the Philippine Normal University of Indonesia, Assam Association of North America (AANA), United States of America and Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) and Nepal Tribhuvan University, Nepal. We have an outreach program to Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. We have been organising various International conferences, workshops and webinars amongst the students for the exchange of ideas. 

How do you tend to establish a healthy environment in your university?

“The concept of "family work" helps in building healthy relationships”

The family atmosphere at AdtU contributes to a healthy work environment and relationship. We celebrate every event and every small victory together as a family, which gives us a sense of belonging. Our aim is to inculcate the values of togetherness and social consciousness in our students.