Yedla C. Simhadri

Yedla C. Simhadri is the senior most Vice Chancellor in India who served as Vice Chancellor for 6 Universities in his 25 years of experience and also as a head of AIU (Association of All India University Vice Chancellors) in the year 2007. He is the only person from the state of Andhra Pradesh after Dr. Sarvepalli Radha Krishnan to chair the highest postion.

Early life and education

Yedla C. Simhadri, born in a tiny hamlet called Gurajapulanka of (Konaseema) Kamini village in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, had his early education from Andhra University (S.K.B.R. College) in 1960 he did B.A. (Economics); in 1964 M.A. (Social Work); and in 1966 B.L. (Law). In 1968-70 at Indiana State University, USA, he completed his M.A. (Sociology) and M.S. (Criminology) with outstanding performance. He obtained "A+" in I.S.U. In 1970-71 he did his Ph.D. in Sociology with specialization in Criminology and Research Methodology from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA for his thesis entitled "Ex-criminal tribes of India : A community study". He completed Ph.D. in 9 months in record time (usually it takes 4 years in U.S. Education system). At the Ph.D. comprehensive examination at C.W.R.U. in -Criminology, the Committee declared that, "Mr. Simhadri is walking library in Criminology". He is known in both Universities in USA as 'Curve Breaker' in all the classes in both the universities. He also obtained a post-doctoral degree in Commonwealth Centre (located in Chandigarh) UK, Post-doctorate degree for his thesis entitled, "Rural Youth of India : A case study". Similarly, he did post-doctorate degrees in Germany and Japan. In Japan, he worked with the United Nations University, Tokyo for an year, besides as a post-doctoral fellow in the Nomura Centre for Lifelong Education in Tokyo, Japan.

Unparallel in Education

Besides M.A.,B.L. (India), M.A.,M.S.,Ph.D. (U.S.A), D.Y.W.(Commonwealth); and other post doctoral degrees in Germany, Belgium, Japan, etc, and in addition Prof. Y.C.Simhadri was awarded the degrees, of D.Litt. (higher doctorate in Anthropology) in Ranchi University, for his pioneering work on Denotified Tribes of Andhra Pradesh in the year 1997 in the field of Anthropology. Again he was also awarded LL.D. degree (higher doctorate in law) in Berhampur University for his thesis entitled, "Urban crimes : Human Rights Perspective" in the year 2000.He also submitted a thesis for D.Sc for Calcutta University, entitled “Indian youth: in Anthropology Department for Higher Doctorate in science faculty. He was honoured with the Honoris Causa D.Litt. in 1999 from Nagarjuna University, A.P. where he served as V.C. of that University from 1991-1995.

Global Exposure in Higher Education

In 1979, under Indo-Bulgarian cultural exchange programme of the UGC for lecture-cum- study academic trip for 4 months to Belgium where he delivered lectures in criminology, sociology and Indian studies in all the Universities in the entire Belgium and also Luxemburg. He made in-depth empirical study of the entire Belgium higher education in 4 months. He had exposed himself for a capitalist country, education system.

Later on, Bulgarian Sociological Society invited for 4 weeks special lecture programme in the entire country in 1980 and toured all over the country by delivering lectures in sociology, youth studies, criminology and other social sciences in all Universities in that country. After becoming Vice-President of the World Youth Organization, every year for 15 days each time, Prof. Simhadri visited Bulgaria for 8 years continuously for study and lectures which was a socialist education system. At that time, he visited many socialist countries like USSR, Czekoslovakia, Ramania, etc for conferences, seminars etc. His visits to Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mexico, Bangladesh, Thailand etc. covering the exposure in the third world education.

Visiting Professor in India and Abroad:

He was a consultant in the United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan in 1983-84 was a consultant UNESCO, Bangkok,Thailand, Prof. Simhadri has been a Visiting Professor in Belgium in 1979, in Bulgaria in 1982, in Japan in 1983 , East and West Germany in 1984 and ’85 and Mysore in 1980. He had been on the Visiting Faculty as a Professor in Calcutta University, University of Hyderabad, Osmania University, Indian Police Academy at Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Criminology at Delhi, Indian Reserve Police Academy at Mount Abu. He delivered invited lectures at the University of Oxford, University of London and University of Cambridge in the year 1988, in the University of Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1981 to 1990; University of Mexico in 1982; in the University of Czechoslavakia, Czechoslovakia, in 1985, 1987; in the University of Paris, Paris, in 1986, 1987; in the University of Munich, West Germany, in 1988, 1989; Social Sciences Institute, Den Hague, Holland, in 1979, 1981; University of Nigeria in 1985; University of Rome, Rome, Italy, in 1987, 1989; University of Moscow, USSR in 1989, 1990; to mention a few and in many other Universities in Europe. He was also invited in China in 1993 to deliver lectures in two Universities. Then he obtained knowledge in higher education all over the globe empirically, first world, second world and third world countries.

Vice-Chancellor in six Universities: A rare Achievement

Prof. Simhadri was the Vice-Chancellor of Nagarjuna University from December 1991 to January 1995. During his period he brought discipline in an unruly campus, University hostels were cleaned, academic calendar was restored and maintained, examination reforms were introduced with great success, many new courses including self-financing courses (first time in the University system in India) were also introduced, the entire campus was vibrating with academic activities like seminars, symposia, conferences etc., encouraged research and made a healthy academic institution from sick institution stage.

Prof. Simhadri served as Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from August 1998 to 22nd February 2002. He brought order to the campus and introduced reforms in examination and in addition 20 innovative courses (self-financing) were introduced during his period (first time in the central university system). Further, he started Aqua Agro forest, a novel experimental project in the extent of 30 acres of land. Mahamana Malavia Heritage complex was established in 6 acres of land and brought many development activities to the Campus. He created a separate campus of BHU in Barkacha Farm of 2700 acres of land.

Prof. Simhadri was appointed as Vice chancellor of Andhra University on 3rd April 2002 till 2nd April 2005. During that time he brought many changes in the campus. Further he brought educational reforms, started new courses. By removing non-boarders and anti-social elements, created peaceful atmosphere in hostels. He also started a new campus for Ayurveda and Medicinal plants in an area of 138 acres of land with the support of UGC and Ministry of Agriculture and Government of Andhra Pradesh. He has introduced many innovative programs at Andhra University and its financial position was improved. He established to additional campuses at Tadepalligudem and Vijayanagaram and introduced many innovative courses.

Prof. Simhadri was appointed as Vice chancellor of Patna University in 2006 December on the invitation of Honourable Chief Minister, Mr.Nitesh Kumar ji did the marvelous job in bringing reforms in that University. He was appointed as Director Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies,Law and Justice Ministry, Government of India for a tenure of four years. Thus, he was taken by the H.R.D. Ministry, Government of India to prepare a Uniform Central University Code Bill and he submitted a Bill Report in December, 2013. In the beginning of 2014, Sri Nitish Kumar,Hon’ble Chief Minister and Governor Dr. Patil, His Excellency invited him second term Patna University as a Vice-Chancellor, Now, it comes to 6th time Vice-Chancellor in the country, probably in the world, rarest in the world. He came out spot less in all the six-time University tenures.

President of AIU:

It is the rarest thing for any Vice-Chancellor to become the President of the Association. The senior most Vice-Chancellor at that time would become the President. This is an Association of all University Vice-Chancellors’ in the country, a total of 400 Universities in the entire country, at that time, recognized by the government of India and Secretary General, Commonwealth Universities heads(Vice-Chancellor) association at London. As a senior most Vice-Chancellor of the country, he became it’s President in 2007.It was the rarest in the world, a world leader in higher education, becoming after serving six Universities, he was almost Vice- Chancellor from 1991 to 2017, for 25 years, including B.H.U. and Patna University and Andhra University. Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan became the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University, B.H.U. and President of A.I.U, and then became the Vice-President and then President of India, whereas Prof.Y.C.Simhadri became not only Vice-Chancellor of B.H.U., Andhra University, President of A.I.U, but also, in addition Patna University (twice) and Nagarjuna University and Member U.G.C. and President of the world bodies.

Exposure in National Higher Education:

He was member of the University Grants Commission from 1995 to 1998 for a period of one term of three years. He had an opportunity to involve himself in most of the Universities and deemed Universities, Autonomous Colleges in all over the country, their functioning, activities, systems, organizations he had empirical knowledge of all the Universities and higher education systems in the country.

Scholar:

Prof. Simhadri has been an accredited writer and published as many as 18 books in his chosen specialties, i.e., Anthropology, Youth Science, Sociology, Law and Criminology. In addition he has three post doctorate theses. Besides he has written half a dozen theses. He has guided Ph.D. scholars in the field of Criminology, Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Youth Work, Law, Education, Political Science and Human Rights etc. He has contributed a large number of research papers in national and international journals of high repute. He also organized, participated and presented papers at various national and international seminars / symposia and conferences in India and abroad. He conducted national and international conferences / seminars in India and abroad.

Globe Trotter:

He had been Vice President of the Research Committee on Sociology of Youth of the International Sociological Association, 1982; Asian President of the third World Commission of the World Youth Farmer's Association. He had been Consultant to the United Nations University, Tokyo and UNESCO, Thailand. In view of the various assignments Prof. Simhadri had widely traveled all the five continents. He is known as a 'Globe Trotter'.

Nationalist:

Prof. Simhadri is a nationalist. It is evident from the fact that after completing his Ph.D. education in USA in 1971 in record time, he was offered a position in the United Nations, which he declined with a view to work in his mother country, India; also when he was offered an Associate Professorship he did not accept it to serve in his mother country in 1971. The sacrifice was such that he came to India even as a lecturer which was much lower (financially and position-wise) than the post available in U.S.A. It is important to note that in 1971 it was easy to get "Green Card" - an immigrant status, which every Indian in India clamours, which he declined even to apply because of his "swadeshi" feeling and returned to India. When he went to Japan, Prof.Simhadri married Japanese, got United Nations University job and also professor in International Christian University in Tokyo, but decided to come back to Andhra University out of a nationalist view.

Awards:

1. Recipient of ‘Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award -1994’ sponsered by All India National Unity Conference on 75th Birth Anniversary of (late) Smt. Indira Gandhi on 18th Nov. 1994 in New Delhi.

2. ‘Bharat Vikas Excellency Award’ by council for National Development, New Delhi, 1996.

3. ‘Rashtriya Ekta Award’ – 2001 by Naitonal Unity Conference, New Delhi.

4. Recipient of ‘Rajiv Gandhi Award’’by All India National Unity Conference in 2001 in New Delhi.

5. The Best citizen of Varanasi given by Muslim University (Institution), in Varanasi, 2001

6. ‘Swami Pranavananda Saraswati National Award in Education – 2002’ by University Grants Commission, New Delhi.

7. “Man of the year 2010” by Rotary International in 2010 in Andhra Pradesh.

8. The Best citizen of India Award, Delhi in 2011.

9. Life time Achievement Award by Indian Sociological Conference held at KISS, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa-2016

10. Prof. R.N.Saxena Memorial National Social Science Academic Award-2017 given by the Indian Social Science Association(Member Indian Association of Social Science Institution (IASSI), New Delhi. 50Years Social Science Dialouge, Golden Jubilee, 2017.

Prof. Simhadri has been an active researcher, outstanding academician, an excellent academic administrator, an activist, a social reformer, a nationalist and a perfect human being.