Underlining the need to improve the quality of higher academic institutions in the country, President Pranab Kumar Mukherjee has called for all-round changes in the educational system so that Indian institutes are equipped to promote innovation.
Inaugurating the platinum jubilee of the College of Engineering, Trivandrum (CET) here on Friday, he said higher education institutions in the country had some ground to cover in the journey of quality.
“Many meritorious students opt for higher studies abroad. We have to retain them here by offering world-class education.”
Mr. Mukherjee said it was unfortunate that no one engineering institute or university from India was ranked within the top 200 universities in the world.
He proposed reforms for regular revision and upgrade of curricula, introduction of choice-based credit system, and examination reforms to promote a culture of excellence. He also suggested nurturing centres of excellence and establishing formal linkage with industry. “Engineering programmes must be periodically evaluated based on industry trends.”
Knowledge networksThe President highlighted the need for intellectual collaboration amongst Indian institutions and those abroad through existing knowledge networks. Referring to the Washington Accord and the benefits that would accrue to India, he said the onus was on engineering colleges in the country to adhere to the requisite accreditation standards.
Mr. Mukherjee called on Indian institutes to focus their research on issues and problems at the regional level, and find ways of achieving greater efficiency in resource utilisation. He urged them to mentor grass-roots innovators and help them develop their ideas into useful products benefiting the common man.
Governor Sheila Dikshit; Chief Minister Oommen Chandy; Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb; Mayor K. Chandrika; Shashi Tharoor, MP; Director of Technical Education J. Letha; and college Principal S. Sheela addressed the gathering.
