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Plans to regulate higher education system

Memorable moment: Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh looks at a book on Matrimandir in Auroville on Wednesday. Auroville Foundation secretary M. Ramaswamy and Governing Board member Aster Patel are in the picture.

PUDUCHERRY: Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh on Wednesday said here that to evolve a mechanism for regulating the system of higher education in the country, the Ministry was consulting academics and other stakeholders.

Speaking to The Hindu during a visit to Auroville, he said there was a mushrooming of institutions of higher learning and there had to be a regulatory system. “Our effort is not to arbitrarily define this mechanism, but we are in consultation with all the stakeholders and academic world and hope that in the next Parliament session we shall be able to introduce a Bill for providing this mechanism.”

He said the recent conference of vice-chancellors had suggested reform measures, which were being examined. “These are regarding examination and semester systems and we hope in the next academic session, which is July, many of these would have come into existence.”

Mr. Singh, who visited the Matrimandir, the adjacent banyan tree and the Bharat Nivas complex, said it was remarkable to see the essence of teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother come out in the form of stone, which meant it would remain for posterity.

Secretary of the Auroville Foundation M. Ramaswamy explained about the 40th anniversary celebrations of Auroville, which have been planned for February 28 and said work on the Matrimandir would be completed by that time. Member of the Governing Board Aster Patel sought funds from the Centre to complete the construction of the Bharat Nivas, the Indian Pavilion in the International Zone of Auroville. She said the Mother, who had initiated the construction of the Matrimandir and the Bharat Nivas, had expressed a desire that the Government should provide funds for its construction and maintenance.

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