Universities must focus on providing quality education to students, Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi has said.
Speaking at the convocation of the Rani Channamma University in the VTU auditorium here on Monday, he said several universities were facing the general complaint of imparting low quality education.
“Academic leaders heading universities should introspect on the contribution of these institutions to the quality of higher education in the State. Karnataka produces the highest number of graduates in all disciplines in the country. However, it would be great to produce graduates of the best quality too,’’ he said. Only when those in charge of running universities and higher education institutions think honestly, can we see any real change. By producing quality graduates, we will be able to beat China, he said. He said the State government was spending ₹24,600 crore on the education sector per year.
He asked students to strive to bring social transformation and not just work for getting degrees and jobs. He said the new university bill is drafted in a way to address such issues. It will increase the efficiency of these institutions and make them corruption free. He denied allegations that the state government was trying to reduce the autonomy of universities by bringing this bill. The bill is intended to bring in accountability and not to interfere in their administration, he said. As many as 2,160 posts in higher education institutions will be filled on merit, he said.
The State government will explore legal challenges against the Income Tax Department’s move to impose over ₹400 crore income tax to Visvesvaraya Technological University. Some former officials of the University caused embarrassment to the government with their behaviour, he said.
