Mah Governor asks universities to emerge as Temple of knowledge

Mumbai, Nov 15 (UNI) Maharashtra Governor S C Jamir today sought the universities in the state to transform into temples of knowledge through a collective endeavour and reforms.

Stating that higher education is poised for a great transformation, he said it was necessary to undertake rapid expansion along with reforms in higher, technical and vocational education.

He was addressing the meeting of joint board of Vice Chancellors of the Universities in Maharashtra at Raj Bhavan.

Mentioning that colleges and universities are facing acute shortage of good quality teaching staff, Mr Jamir called for filling up the large number of sanctioned teaching faculty positions in colleges and universities on an urgent basis.

Touching upon the important issue of appointment of Vice-Chancellors, he said there is no dearth of talent in the State for the position of Vice-Chancellor in the Universities.

''However, in order to ensure that we get the best person as Vice-Chancellor, it is necessary to have a fresh look at the composition of the Search Committee,'' he pointed out.

The Governor said Vice-Chancellors are heavily over-burdened with administrative work, leaving little time for them to work freely and think of the academic growth of the Universities. In this connection, he suggested that there should be a separate committee at the university level to address the administrative complaints and other grievances.

The Governor also expressed the need for thoroughly revising the Maharashtra Universities' Act of 1994 to make it more progressive in order to meet the vision and the goals of 11th Five Year Plan.

He called upon the Universities to take serious note of the Report of the National Knowledge Commission.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh indicated that the Government was in favour of enhancing the outlay for higher education to increase the standards of higher education in the State.

UNI VK SSS AKJ KN1716