SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the inaugural session of the Round Table Conference with newly appointed Vice Chancellors from various universities of the country at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar.
In his address, the Lt Governor appreciated the endeavor of the Association of Indian Universities to bring together the Vice Chancellors on a common platform to deliberate on University Governance, Collaboration, and promoting innovation in the academic world.
“Higher education institutions across the world are undergoing radical transformations. The Universities and colleges will have to formulate strategic plans, organizational readiness for adjustments aligned with NEP 2020 to stay relevant in a constantly evolving world,” he added.
LG said that India is witnessing a massive growth in demand for higher education. In 10-15 years, India has contributed 74% of all new higher education institutions started in the world. “We need to ensure the quality of studies to provide new tools to students to face the changes and challenges.”
He said, more than 13 lakh Indian students are studying in 79 countries. As per an estimate of 2020, students studying abroad are spending approximately $30 billion annually. “Despite having the largest number of higher educational institutions in the world and best facilities, not a single institution of ours is included in the top 10 educational hubs of the world, because of lack of promotion,” he added.
At the Conference, the Lt Governor shared the efforts of the UT Administration, under the guidance of PM Modi, to overhaul the education system in Jammu Kashmir.
“Since September 2020, J&K is witnessing encouraging reforms in higher education sector. Universities and Colleges have been enabled to focus on demand for education outputs, industry requirements, innovation, new-age skills and to be flexible and resilient to meet the needs of tomorrow,” the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor also underlined the need for the Universities to adjust to the change and meet future challenges. “Today, the pace of change in every sector is faster than before. The biggest transformational revolution is required in the University Campus.”
“To remain relevant in the future, universities will have to function like a Professional Corporation in which each department, unit, teacher play their crucial role as a separate part and forms a complete organic mechanism,” he said.
Innovation and entrepreneurship cannot be taught through books. Arrangements should be made that students are involved in field learning every week, the Lt Governor said.
