Ahmedabad: Patrick French, the writer of the official biography of Nobel Prize winning writer V S Naipaul, has been appointed the dean of the School of Arts and Sciences of Ahmedabad University.
Speaking to News18, French said, “I am looking forward to the new task with great enthusiasm and I think is an incredible opportunity to work for education in India.”
Asked whether he believes he will enjoy the academic freedom at the university, he said, “I do not think that will really be a problem for me. I am sure I will enjoy academic freedom at the university.” French will take charge next month.
“Professor Chandra and his team are doing something new and different in global education. An interdisciplinary approach to the arts and sciences, and a wide-ranging intellectual engagement between academic disciplines, will have direct benefits for Indian students. I am delighted to be a part of the building of a dynamic world-class institution,” he said
Pankaj Chandra, Vice-Chancellor of Ahmedabad University, said that they chose French because they were looking for someone who could re-imagine what a 21st century school of arts and sciences should be.
“Dr French brings a deep concern for finding common ground between the arts and sciences and for integrating them into the contemporary issues facing the world. As someone who knows India well, he brings multiple sensibilities that that will help us craft unique research and learning domains,” he said.
In addition to being a dean, French will also hold the position of Professor for the Public Understanding of the Humanities.
Set up in 2009, Ahmedabad University offers programmes across its four schools and three centres at the Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral levels.
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