Deliberations on improving quality of higher education in Uttarakhand were held during the opening day of a two-day seminar titled Quantitative and Qualitative Management in Higher Education at Doon University on Monday in Dehradoon.
The Vice Chancellors (VC) of 31 universities, registrars and principals of 119 Government and Government aided colleges of the State are particpating in the seminar.
Speaking in the inaugural session, the Governor of Uttarakhand, Krishan Kant Paul said that the universities and colleges of the State should create a better educational and academic environment where teachers act as role models, guides and mentors for students.
He said Uttarakhand is known for its school education but in higher education, the State is yet to make its name. The Governor said that the VCs and principals must encourage and inspire teachers to take on the role of guiding students by keeping up a communication with them beyond classrooms and inculcating our cultural values in them. Highlighting the need for the teachers to keep himself updated, he said that in the internet era it is more important.
The Governor said that the colleges with shortage of faculty and books should take the help of Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and SWAYAM project of human resource ministry as courses are available free of cost with video lectures, study material and online discussions.
Warning the private educational institutions not to mislead students about affiliation, he advised that the students should be informed about the status of affiliation, infrastructure and other facilities at the time of admission. The Governor added that it is being ensured that students should not suffer because of the affiliation issues.
Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Satyapal Singh said that it is a really big challenge to make higher education “higher” in true sense.
He advocated for inclusion of traditional knowledge and wisdom in the curriculum of the universities so that the youth get an education consisting of values, cultural heritage and which is also job oriented.
State Minister for Higher Education Dhan Singh Rawat said that in colleges of the state principals and assistant professors have been appointed. Biometric attendance system is implemented in colleges to ensure the presence of teachers for five hours, the academic calendar with 180 days of study is being followed, he said.
Rawat added that coordination is being done with the skill development department for professional training to university and college students and an umbrella act is on anvil for all universities of the State.
He informed that the convocation attire in the universities would be changed to get rid of the colonial stamp on it. Some designs of dresses prepared by higher education department for convocations were presented on the occasion.