“It is clearly a case of the fence swallowing up the crop that it meant to protect. If the higher echelons of university and college managements do not practice proper moral values how can there be an expectation about the inculcation of the right values in the youth of the state,” he said. 

While inaugurating the one-day conference on Start-up Policy and Skill Development for Employment, the Governor said vice-chancellors and professors by their conduct should serve as beacon lights to guide the younger generation on the right path so as to achieve the goal of progress and prosperity in society. 

Stating that universities and colleges are the seats of higher learning at which it is important to scrupulously practice the virtues of transparency, efficiency and honesty, he said, “We at Raj Bhavan have set an example in this direction in the matter of selection of vice-chancellors.” 

“The vice-chancellors in turn should follow this method of being totally honest and transparent when it comes to the selection of the university faculty,” he added.

“Apart from inculcating the right instruction and values, teachers should also function as friends in need,” the Governor said adding that students today are beset with many problems and look for a friend and guide to dispel the confusion in their minds. 

He said vice-chancellors and professors should give a patient hearing to the problems of the students and help in enabling them to find solutions for them. Vice-Chancellors should set apart at least one hour everyday for this important area of activity, the Governor said, “This will help to develop better bonding with the students and result in greater productivity.” 

Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan on Tuesday said that two lakh youths in the state will be given skill training this year for creating job opportunities at a cost of Rs 200 crore.

He said skill development programme for students will be implemented through Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation in association with the Union government. “In 2023, more than two crore youths have to be given training,” he added. 

Speaking at a one-day conference on Start-up Policy and Skill Development for Employment here at Anna University campus, the Minister also said in a bid to improve the infrastructure for skill development programme in the state, a centre of excellence will also be established at the MIT Campus of the Anna University and other institutes connected to it will come up at Anna University’s constituent colleges in Kancheepuram and Villupuram, Murugappa College of Technology, Avadi and Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology at Vellore. 

“At present, construction works are undertaken in these colleges for establishing skill development training centres,” he added. According to the Minister, the objective of these skill development programmes is to encourage the students to be entrepreneurs. 

“We have also tied up with Siemens and Design Tech for technical support to run these training institutes,” Anbalagan noted. 

Meanwhile in Tiruchy, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan said 12 new skill development courses would be added to vocational groups from the upcoming academic year to ensure that school students are industry ready once they pass out.  Speaking at a science lab inauguration in a  School, he said this would be initiated with the support of local industries.