Chennai, May 28 (FN Agency) University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof M Jagdeesh Kumar on Monday stressed the need for convergence of knowledge society and values as educational institutions are knowledge creators. Addressing the two-day conference of Vice Chancellors from state and private universities at Raj Bhavan Udhagamandalam, which was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N.Ravi, he spoke on the importance of addressing concerns related to sustainability in a world where developments in various technologies are rapidly advancing. Despite progress in fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information technology, there is still a pressing need for a sustainable, healthy, secure, and peaceful way of life, he said. Prof Jagadesh Kumar highlighted that achieving sustainability hinges on factors such as meeting the increasing requirements of a growing population, respecting societal and cultural values, considering the human-built environment, and respecting the boundaries of the earth’s systems. “By addressing the challenges of the interconnected world, it can become a solution for the rest of the world as well, which will further our position as world leaders. For this we have to work in cooperation, in a way that we are working for a collective goal of society.
That is why we have to inculcate these human values at the individual and societal levels. Therefore, there is a need for the convergence of knowledge, society, and values”, he added. “As education institutions are knowledge creators, passing this knowledge across generations, you have to be at the forefront”, he told the VCs. Citing the document Guidelines for Institutional Development Plans developed by the UGC, he urged the universities to prepare their own IDPs as per their aims and objectives. He also discussed about transforming the institutions as centers of excellence, while emphasizing the importance of transforming education to make students both knowledgeable and employable through skill development programs, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP). In his inaugural address, Mr Ravi said when he came to Tamil Nadu two and half years back, he noticed that the state universities were working in isolation and facing challenges in improving their standards due to lack of communication and coordination among them. To overcome this situation and provide a forum where the eminent leaders of higher education can learn from each other, this conference is being organized. Underlining the fact that the core thrust of this conference is to bring about research excellence, innovation and entrepreneurship, provide an insight in to artificial intelligence, human values and introduce new ideas from the experts, for improving higher education in the state, he said these discussions will be instrumental in strengthening our education system, making younger generation skilled and confident to find solution to the prevailing challenges.
Mr Ravi said “Our Country was the 6th largest economy at the time of independence, but it was reduced to 11th position till a few years back. With the new initiatives over the last ten years, the country is now the 5th largest economy in the world and soon will reach 3rd position. We were innovative, good entrepreneurs and rooted to Indian education system of learning. All these glories were reduced to null during the colonial rule.” “Before colonization, our economy was the largest economy in the world, our education system was innovative and enterprising, we did not have rote learning. Indian made goods were exported all across the world and were known for their good quality. This spirit of innovation and research was decimated during the colonial period and we have to overcome it”, he added. He highlighted that in the era of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and we need to have transformation in our approach of teaching pedagogy which is one of the core focus of National Education Policy -2020, which would usher in a new higher education system for India. The Governor said that the two days conference would give lot of food for thought, experiences and excellent ideas to be shared by intellectuals in drafting a long term plan and action to reach milestones.