Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that keeping the autonomy of universities intact, conditions for their expansion as per need will be created. Chouhan was addressing a meeting of Vice-Chancellors of seven universities of the country’s Madhya Kshetra at Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya.
Chouhan said that apart from imparting knowledge and skills, universities should focus on education of citizenship also. He said that being educated and being cultured are two different things. Without culture, talent can be misused. Talking about Adi Shankaracharya and Swami Vivekanand he said that there is need to ponder on the methods of educating about culture.
The Chief Minister said that India has had universities like Nalanda and Takshashila which were renowned all over the world. It is a wonder how Indian universities are included in the world’s 100 top universities. He said that this is possible with commitment and resolve. The society and the government would have to make combined efforts. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seriously pondering on making solid efforts in the direction of quality and autonomy of higher education.
Chouhan said that higher education should give employment. On Youth Empowerment Mission he said that efforts are being made to provide proper training to make youth fit enough for employment. On the Medhavi Vidyarthi Protsahan Yojana, the Chief Minister said that the state government will bear the expenses of higher education of outstanding students who score 75 per cent marks in the state and get selected in national institutions. He said that there is no dearth of talent but due to lack of opportunities, they have to migrate. This situation must be stopped.
Terming double education system as dangerous, Chouhan said that everyone must get equal opportunities of education; this is the biggest responsibility of the Vice-Chancellors. All possible efforts are being made to improve quality of primary and higher education. Today government school students are passing with very good marks.
Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya Vice-Chancellor Sunil Kumar said that universities should also be concerned with social concerns. They should also be in regular contact with industrial sector. Minister of State for Technical Education Deepak Joshi, Association of Universities Chairman Professor PB Sharma, General Secretary Qamar and Vice-Chancellors of Universities, senior educationists and officers were present on the occasion. Chief Minister Chouhan released the special edition of University News and RGPV News letter.