Governor P. Sathasivam on Tuesday said society expected a university’s intervention in times of crises or need.
He was talking after handing over the third Chancellor’s Award for the Best University in Kerala to the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) and the maiden Emerging Young University Award to the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) at the Cusat seminar hall.
Invoking the case of Cyclone Ockhi recently, Mr. Sathasivam observed how people had questioned the efficiency of the State’s facilities for weather prediction during the natural disaster. He lamented how Cusat’s radar facility has little role in the process of prediction.
“I think, institutions must take up such issues with the appropriate authority so as to enable themselves to carry out more meaningful extension activities that would connect them to people,” he said. He hoped that at least in next year each varsity in the State would have at least one journal with a greater impact factor.
“Our academic activities should not be confined to the mere imparting of textual knowledge. University education must refine the character of students, thereby raising the intellectual tone of the entire society and even purifying the national taste,” the Governor said.
Earlier, the Governor handed over the Chancellor’s Award for the Best University in the State to Cusat Vice Chancellor J. Letha, and KVASU Vice Chancellor in-charge Anil Xavier received the maiden Best Emerging Young University award. Twelve universities participated in the selection process.
V.K. Ebrahimkunju, MLA, offered felicitations. Secretary to Governor Davendra Kumar Dhodawat welcomed the gathering and Ms. Letha proposed vote of thanks.
