Kolkata, India – West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) Vice-Chancellor O V Nandimath has initiated reforms to address student unrest and restore trust at the institution. Appointed two months ago, Nandimath identified centralized decision-making, a trust deficit, and infrastructure gaps as core issues leading to recent protests. His immediate actions include decentralizing governance, strengthening communication, and addressing financial and infrastructure challenges.
Restoring Trust and Communication
Nandimath prioritized understanding student, faculty, and staff sentiments upon assuming office. He identified a significant trust deficit across the university community. To rebuild trust, he held open meetings with stakeholders within hours of his appointment. On January 1, 2026 , he convened his first executive council meeting. These steps aim to re-establish communication channels and demonstrate approachability.
Decentralizing Governance
Centralized decision-making within the Vice-Chancellor’s office fueled past student agitation. Nandimath stated this system led to transactional engagement and compromised decision quality. He restructured academic administration, positioning the VC as an appellate authority, not the first decision-maker.
Nandimath appointed five deans. These deans oversee undergraduate studies, postgraduate studies, research, student and alumni affairs, and communication. They now manage routine, regulated powers. This delegation ensures decisions are vetted collectively, fostering shared ownership within the university.
Strengthening Financial Health
WBNUJS currently manages its finances effectively despite a small deficit. This deficit resulted from slow student fee collection and initial investments in new courses. Nandimath aims for financial independence to achieve international credibility. He plans to develop a strategic perspective to augment resources.
Future financial strategies include providing consultancy services, tapping Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, and securing more endowments and research grants. These measures will reduce reliance on state funding and student fee increases, which could otherwise limit access to education for deserving students.
Addressing Infrastructure Needs
Infrastructure, particularly hostels and academic facilities, remains a long-standing concern. The university anticipates self-sufficiency in classrooms within three months. This will follow completion of current civil work and accommodate all academic courses.
Hostel facilities remain insufficient. WBNUJS plans construction on an additional piece of land. Until new hostels are ready, the university will admit day scholars for its BSc LLB program.
Enhancing Academic Quality and Student Voice
WBNUJS consistently ranks among the top five in NIRF and holds an A+ NAAC grade. Nandimath aims to enhance academic offerings and diversity further. He emphasizes recommencing regular faculty meetings, critical for harnessing faculty autonomy and ownership.
An optimal number of faculty offers sufficient courses, including electives. A team has been constituted to rationalize workload and assess future faculty needs. Student participation in decision-making is a hallmark of WBNUJS, notably through the Student Juridical Association (SJA). Student representatives now participate in deans’ council deliberations on policy issues affecting students.