The Centre is currently working on the National Education Policy-2016 that seeks to promote "a credible education system" capable of ensuring quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu announced today.
The Centre was also working to promote 20 world-class institutions both in public and private sectors, he said, adding that "informing and reforming our youth force", so as to enable it to take part in the transformation of India, "shall be the agenda of higher educational institutions".
Addressing the inaugural session of the south zone conference of vice-chancellors of various universities at the Vignan University at Vadlamani in Guntur district this afternoon, Venkaiah said the new policy, which was now going through a consultation process, was aimed producing students and graduates equipped with "knowledge, skills, attitude and values" that were required to lead a productive life and participate in the country's development process.
"Commercialisation of education with emphasis on success in competitive exams and securing a high-paid job is resulting in socio-economic issues to be grappled with.
If our (present) higher education system does not result in right products, it could have serious socio-economic and political implications", Venkaiah warned.
"From being a pioneer of education in ancient times, we have now come to lag behind many other nations in terms of both quality and quantity. From great heights, we have for some reasons fallen by the wayside.
"Thousands of our students flock to other countries for higher studies and that is a matter of serious concern," the Union Minister observed.
He asked the vice-chancellors to ponder this and "do the needful".
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas, Association of Indian Universities president D S Chauhan, Vignan University founder Lavu Rattaiah and vice-chancellors of universities of southern states are attending the three-day conference that is deliberating on the theme "Universities' contribution to spilling, innovation and entrepreneurship".
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