HUBLI: Karnatak University Vice-Chancellor M. Khajapeer has said that the State Government should reconsider its approach towards universities where social sciences are taught.

Inaugurating a workshop on "Changing role of social sciences in the era of globalisation" organised by the Department of Political Science here on Wednesday, he regretted the attitude of the State Government towards traditional universities and social sciences.

Discrimination

Social sciences are an essential component of a developing society and any discrimination in favour of science vis-à-vis social sciences is not good for a healthy society, Dr. Khajapeer said.

Elaborating on the primacy of social sciences in strengthening democracy and good governance, he said neglecting social sciences will only hasten the decay of society.

Engagement

"Therefore, teachers in higher education must constantly watch the changes that take place in society so that they can find solutions to the problems of the community. This engagement with the community is the key to the success of social sciences," he said.

Elaborating on the changing paradigm of higher education, the Vice-Chancellor stressed the need to revise the curriculum to meet the changing demands of society.

Nothing wrong

Delivering the keynote address, K. Raghavendra Rao, former Chairman, Department of Political Science, Mangalore University, said social sciences can be taught only by a thinking teaching community.

Market forces

"In the backdrop of globalisation, market forces are not always right and, therefore, I wonder how much of our belief is correct," he said.

Presiding over the function, A.T. Kittur said societies that do not give importance to social sciences will not survive as science and technology alone have never been able to solve the problems of society.

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