Hyderabad: Governor and Chancellor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan addressed the third vice-chancellors’ conference at Raj Bhavan on Monday, where she expressed her dissatisfaction at the State universities’ failure to figure in the recently released National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings. The governor stressed the universities’ need to meet students’ aspirations and expectations. The education sector needs further efforts to realize the goal of meeting not only national standards but also global standards, Dr. Soundararajan said.
The governor expressed concern over the recent suicides of girl students at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) Basara, an institution that she had earlier visited and stressed the importance of proper counselling for students. She also asked vice-chancellors to ensure universities have proper infrastructure like washrooms, classrooms, libraries, and hostel facilities.
Appreciating the efforts of the vice-chancellors for the progress of universities, the governor promised to extend all possible support in addressing issues like lecturer and professor vacancies. While speaking to the VCs, the governor said that the proposed bills for setting up a common recruitment board for the faculty, as well as the Private University Bill, were on hold based on input from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other academicians. The governor assured them that she had referred them to the President, keeping the interest of the younger generation of the state in mind.
During the conference, the governor inaugurated the digital library for students and unveiled the souvenir of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University. Mr. Avichal Kapoor, Joint Secretary, made a presentation on various initiatives of UGC and requested VCs to extend cooperation for compliance with NEP-2020. Dr. P Raghu Ram, a Padma Awardee from the KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases, also made a presentation on breast cancer. The governor emphasized creating awareness among students about early detection and treatment of breast cancer and asked VCs to take steps to emphasize the Youth Red Cross and blood donation.
Dr. Tamilisai, while closing the conference, urged VCs to motivate and inspire students to meet the needs of students, come up with innovations, and earn while learning for their economic empowerment. She advised them to utilize alumni for the benefit of future students. Dr. Tamilisai stressed that primary and higher education are ‘major pillars’ that make a state developed, and universities should work towards this end despite the constraints and limitations coming in their way.
In closing, the conference provided an opportunity for VCs to present the progress made in addressing the agenda points of the 2022 conference. The governor appreciated the active participation of VCs and their efforts towards the progress of universities. Dr. Soundararajan’s emphasis on infrastructure, creating awareness about breast cancer, and the need for proper counselling to students reflected her sincere concern for students’ welfare.
