Universities should become centres of excellence: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A comprehensive action plan is needed to upgrade the standard of universities in the state within three years, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. He was speaking to the vice-chancellors of all universities in the state in a special meeting convened as part of the second anniversary of LDF government.Vijayan has instructed VCs to make sure the universities in the state top the national-level rankings in two or three years.  

“VCs should take up the challenge of upgrading the standards of universities. The universities should come in first top 10 ranks in the country at least within next two years. In the later phase, we should also take efforts to upgrade the universities in international rankings”, Pinarayi said.He also pointed out that a self-introspection is needed to check whether the higher education system in the state has reached in top position even after the state has excelled in various sectors.  

“Kerala is in top position in many sectors in the country. So we need to take efforts to bring the universities into top position. The performance of research wing is the key area for measuring the standard of universities. However, many universities couldn’t focus on improving the research wing. It is the people in research wing builds nation of tomorrow”, he  added.

The Chief Minister emphasised on streamlining the functioning of universities in conducting exams and publishing the results on right time. “The universities should take care in creating no delay in issuing certificates to the students. Besides, the curriculum of the universities should also be upgraded. The government will set up innovation classes and incubation centres to promote innovative ideas in the higher education sector”, he said.  

In their response, vice-chancellors shared the problems faced by the universities in terms of shortage of teachers. The Chief Minister responded positively and assured all the support to the universities.Education minister C Raveendranath, Higher Education Council chairman Rajan Gurukkal Planning board vice-chairman V K Ramachandran and Higher Education Secretary Usha Titus  part in the meeting.