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Call for overhaul of education

Special Correspondent

V-Cs should get more freedom alike CEOs, enjoying more authority, autonomy: Pitroda In view of the size of its population, the country needed to quadruple its existing university education facilities

MUMBAI: National Knowledge Commission chairman Sam Pitroda on Monday sought a revamp of the education system, particularly university education for socio-economic transformation.

Delivering the convocation address at the University of Mumbai, Mr. Pitroda spelt out a 10-point programme aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of higher education in the country to meet societal needs.

Mr. Pitroda wanted more freedom, flexibility and accountability for university vice-chancellors, so that they could play the role of CEOs, enjoying more authority and autonomy. In his scheme, which he described as a "whole new culture," the Government and bureaucracy would have no role or powers to interfere in the functioning of the university system in the country.

In view of the size of its population, the country needed to quadruple its existing university education facilities. Mr. Pitroda mooted two shifts on campuses and colleges.

The teaching courses should have a multi-disciplinary approach with credit system in which learning and examinations would go hand in hand and students would not do any last month cramming. "They will have to go to university classes and not tuition classes," he said.

He urged academicians to come out of conservative mentality and be flexible. He wanted full scope for new ideas and innovations. Mr. Pitroda urged universities to raise funds and utilise them in an innovative way.

"Harvard University has 500 people working full time on fund raising, approaching people who matter and persuading them to donate and following up with them," he said. Stressing the need for greater interaction between universities and captains of industry, alumni, etc., he said there were no quick fixes for better education and hard decisions were needed.

The Government should spend more on primary education rather than on higher education. "India was the knowledge capital of the world and can regain that position again provided it can come out of the locked up mindset of the recent past," Mr. Pitroda said.

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