Inaugurating the meet of vice chancellors of universities in the north zone at Aligarh Muslim University Monday, Justice Markandey Katju, former Supreme Court judge and former chairman, Press Council of India, underlined the fact that funding and attention to education is inadequate.
He said the funds received by the universities have to be justified by addressing the pressing issues faced by the people.
The focus of the meet was on 'Research for the Betterment of Human Society'. Different speakers talked about India's myriad social and economic problems and the need for the universities to focus on their solution through innovative research.
Katju stressed the need to raise the quality of trainers and teachers. He particularly showed his concern over brain drain whereby the best brains produced by India's premier institutions invariably migrate to serve in foreign countries whereas their services are required by the nation to raise the standard of living of the masses.
The issue of the autonomy of universities also surfaced in the discussion. Speaking on the occasion, Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameeruddin Shah, in his presidential address, emphasized adoption of modern methods of imparting knowledge.
