JAIPUR: Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil has sought a "qualitative improvement" in the educational standards of the universities in the State. In this age of market economy the students of higher education in the State needed to be equipped for global level competition, she said.

"The Universities should not remain mere institutions conducting examinations. They have to make their students competent and competitive in all fields," she said.

The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the universities in the State, talking to media persons here on Thursday noted that though the number of institutions imparting higher education had gone up in Rajasthan much was left to be desired regarding their management and the quality of education provided by them. "The problem is not of Rajasthan alone. The issues remain the same in rest of India as well," she noted.

"There is a need to make the atmosphere in the universities more academic and research-oriented. The institutions need administrative changes, resources and finances for better functioning," Ms.Patil said.

A national seminar on education, being convened by the University of Rajasthan from January 21 would look into various aspects of higher learning, she said. "After holding consultations with academicians, representatives of various groups and reading about the issues in the newspapers I have come across certain disparities and drawbacks in higher education. The seminar would try to find solutions to them," Ms.Patil observed.

The seminar would deliberate on issues of autonomy, the programme of student's assessment of teachers, problems of temporary teachers, effective implementation of career advancement schemes, filling of vacant posts and retirement age of teachers.

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