Sikkim University 2nd Foundation Day celebrations continues
GANGTOK, August 10: Vice Chancellor Sikkim University Prof Mahendra P Lama today said that the time had come to discuss the emerging policies on higher education in India.
Addressing a seminar on ‘Higher Education: The way forward’ being organised here on the sidelines of the varsity’s second foundation day, Prof Lama said new higher education policies are being floated and would soon be implemented, for which they would include all critical views, proactive suggestions and contributions in the finalization and implementation of these new policies.
He said that Sikkim University is the first to discuss three important reports in an organised manner viz. National Knowledge Commission “Report to the Nation 2006-2009” – led by Sam Pitroda, Report of the Committee to advise on renovation and Rejuvenation of higher Education”, led by Prof Yashpal and the “Concept note on innovation Universities aiming at World Class Standards” circulated by the MHRD, GOI.
“All three reports have made far reaching recommendations. At times very hard hitting to some of the existing institutions,” the VC said adding “the Govt of India is also planning to initiate 14 Innovative Universities aimed at world class standards in the XI plan period. All these will be on top of the existing 400 plus universities.”
In his welcome speech, Prof Lama also envisaged of making the university a world-class institute.
Talking on the need to capitalise human resources in the State, he said courses on indigenous history, mountain studies, sustainable development, designing, border studies, military sciences, global studies, global warming, disaster management, water, energy and natural resources, culture and ethnicity, music besides the generic courses like economics, biology will be floated in Sikkim University.
The Vice Chancellor said that several innovative courses have been introduced, for instance BSc-MSc integrated course on Floriculture and Horticulture Management for which Curriculum designing was done by the senior officials from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Agricultural colleges and Universities, Indian Institute of Management and various Floriculture Horticulture research institutes. “We even invited entrepreneur farmers from Kalimpong and Sikkim to participate in the same. It is an end to end programme aimed at producing a farmer to technocrat and a manager and a marketing professional and an entrepreneur and conservation expert,” he said.
Prof Lama added that out of 130 million children in the age of 18 to 24 years, only 11 million are going to the schools or colleges. Stating that there are 460 Universities and 20,000 colleges including 300 professional colleges, SU Vice Chancellor said there is still a need of 1500 more universities till 2015.
The inaugural session was attended by the State HRDD Minster NK Pradhan as the chief guest along with Sikkim MP, Lok Sabha PD Rai, Vice Chancellor and Sikkim Manipal University Dr Surjit Singh Pabla.
Eminent scholars and academicians from the best universities of India, lecturers, professors and the students from the various colleges of Sikkim also participated in the seminar.
Delivering the keynote address, VC, SMU said the process of revamping our education system is on since the last two years. “With over 20, 000 sub-standard colleges across the country, there is naturally sub standard education,’ Dr. Pabla said adding “there are 3000 professional colleges and out of 460 universities, only 10 are of world standard. We still require 1500 universities by 2015”.
He further stressed on the challenges of quality education including the need of attitude change, autonomy of universities, regulatory mechanisms, quality of teachers, development of infrastructure, uniform curriculum, mobility of students, entry of foreign universities, evaluation system and role of private participants among others.
In his address, the Lok Sabha MP informed that the Parliament had recently passed the Right to Education Bill regarding free and compulsory education for the children aged between 6-14years and that it was a harbinger of good news for the massive educational transformation in India. He said that the onus lies on the State Government to ensure free and compulsory education. “This has been long overdue. Education allows for social mobility,” he said.
Resenting on the fact that the education system of Sikkim was never questioned and discussed, Mr Rai applauded the effort of Sikkim University in bringing a paradigm shift in this regard. “Sikkim University should now play an important role in catalysing mountain studies as part of their curriculum in order to cater to the needs of the people of the region,” he added.
He further said that Sikkim University has to focus on mountain paradigm and that more research and thought is needed in this direction.
HRDD minister on his part reminded that the State Government is determined as well as keen to make Sikkim an education hub. “Quality education is aspired in the State and for this quality education is needed. We have also started the process of capacity building amongst the teachers,” the minister said.
Later a discussion was held on the implications of National Knowledge Commission and Yashpal Committee Report on the NE region.
GANGTOK, August 10: Vice Chancellor Sikkim University Prof Mahendra P Lama today said that the time had come to discuss the emerging policies on higher education in India.
Addressing a seminar on ‘Higher Education: The way forward’ being organised here on the sidelines of the varsity’s second foundation day, Prof Lama said new higher education policies are being floated and would soon be implemented, for which they would include all critical views, proactive suggestions and contributions in the finalization and implementation of these new policies.
He said that Sikkim University is the first to discuss three important reports in an organised manner viz. National Knowledge Commission “Report to the Nation 2006-2009” – led by Sam Pitroda, Report of the Committee to advise on renovation and Rejuvenation of higher Education”, led by Prof Yashpal and the “Concept note on innovation Universities aiming at World Class Standards” circulated by the MHRD, GOI.
“All three reports have made far reaching recommendations. At times very hard hitting to some of the existing institutions,” the VC said adding “the Govt of India is also planning to initiate 14 Innovative Universities aimed at world class standards in the XI plan period. All these will be on top of the existing 400 plus universities.”
In his welcome speech, Prof Lama also envisaged of making the university a world-class institute.
Talking on the need to capitalise human resources in the State, he said courses on indigenous history, mountain studies, sustainable development, designing, border studies, military sciences, global studies, global warming, disaster management, water, energy and natural resources, culture and ethnicity, music besides the generic courses like economics, biology will be floated in Sikkim University.
The Vice Chancellor said that several innovative courses have been introduced, for instance BSc-MSc integrated course on Floriculture and Horticulture Management for which Curriculum designing was done by the senior officials from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Agricultural colleges and Universities, Indian Institute of Management and various Floriculture Horticulture research institutes. “We even invited entrepreneur farmers from Kalimpong and Sikkim to participate in the same. It is an end to end programme aimed at producing a farmer to technocrat and a manager and a marketing professional and an entrepreneur and conservation expert,” he said.
Prof Lama added that out of 130 million children in the age of 18 to 24 years, only 11 million are going to the schools or colleges. Stating that there are 460 Universities and 20,000 colleges including 300 professional colleges, SU Vice Chancellor said there is still a need of 1500 more universities till 2015.
The inaugural session was attended by the State HRDD Minster NK Pradhan as the chief guest along with Sikkim MP, Lok Sabha PD Rai, Vice Chancellor and Sikkim Manipal University Dr Surjit Singh Pabla.
Eminent scholars and academicians from the best universities of India, lecturers, professors and the students from the various colleges of Sikkim also participated in the seminar.
Delivering the keynote address, VC, SMU said the process of revamping our education system is on since the last two years. “With over 20, 000 sub-standard colleges across the country, there is naturally sub standard education,’ Dr. Pabla said adding “there are 3000 professional colleges and out of 460 universities, only 10 are of world standard. We still require 1500 universities by 2015”.
He further stressed on the challenges of quality education including the need of attitude change, autonomy of universities, regulatory mechanisms, quality of teachers, development of infrastructure, uniform curriculum, mobility of students, entry of foreign universities, evaluation system and role of private participants among others.
In his address, the Lok Sabha MP informed that the Parliament had recently passed the Right to Education Bill regarding free and compulsory education for the children aged between 6-14years and that it was a harbinger of good news for the massive educational transformation in India. He said that the onus lies on the State Government to ensure free and compulsory education. “This has been long overdue. Education allows for social mobility,” he said.
Resenting on the fact that the education system of Sikkim was never questioned and discussed, Mr Rai applauded the effort of Sikkim University in bringing a paradigm shift in this regard. “Sikkim University should now play an important role in catalysing mountain studies as part of their curriculum in order to cater to the needs of the people of the region,” he added.
He further said that Sikkim University has to focus on mountain paradigm and that more research and thought is needed in this direction.
HRDD minister on his part reminded that the State Government is determined as well as keen to make Sikkim an education hub. “Quality education is aspired in the State and for this quality education is needed. We have also started the process of capacity building amongst the teachers,” the minister said.
Later a discussion was held on the implications of National Knowledge Commission and Yashpal Committee Report on the NE region.
