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Seminar to focus on improving higher education

PUDUCHERRY: The Kanchi Mamunivar Centre for Post Graduate Studies is organising a national-level seminar on “National Knowledge Commission’s (NKC) report and its implications on higher education” on Saturday and Sunday. It is aimed at creating awareness of the need to revamp higher education among stakeholders.

The seminar, which is being organised by the Post Graduate and Research Department of Commerce of the centre, will consist of several panel discussions and technical sessions on various aspects of higher education.

Director of the Centre Babu Markose Abraham told reporters on Thursday that the first day would consist of panel discussions on higher education from Kothari Committee to NKC and autonomy versus accountability in higher education.

“A technical session on quality improvement in higher education with focus on the situation in Puducherry will also be part of the schedule for the first day,” he said.

The second day of the conference would consist of a panel discussion on social engineering through higher education and two technical sessions on responsibility of teachers and other stakeholders, NKC and knowledge society, Mr. Abraham said.

In its report on higher education, the NKC has recommended the establishment of 1,500 universities across the country before 2015. It has also recommended concepts such as cluster colleges, industry-institute interface and more technology-based teaching methods, organising secretary D. Aravazhi Irissappane said.

“The seminar would analyse ways in which teachers can prepare to face competitions from foreign universities and colleges. It would look at the unspecified duties and responsibilities for the teachers,” he said.

With Puducherry consisting of a number of colleges and universities, he said there was a need to provide quality education to all and also upgrade the facilities. “After analysing the higher education status in Puducherry, we will submit a report to the government regarding the ways in which higher education could be developed,” he said.

Member of Parliament M. Ramadass and NKC adviser Ashok Kolaskar would participate in the inaugural programme, while Education Minister M.O.H.F. Shahjahan would take part in the valedictory function.

Around 400 delegates from 13 States including Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Delhi are expected to take part in the seminar.

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