The governors of Odisha and Assam today expressed concern over lack of quality education in the country compared to international standards, though higher education has witnessed tremendous growth.
"We have over 650 universities, including 43 central universities, 16 National Institutes of Technologies (NIT) and around three million colleges across the country. But none of our universities figures in the Times (London) global list of top 100 universities of the world under 50 years of age," Odisha Governor S C Jamir said.
"Almost two-third of the universities and 90 per cent colleges are rated as below average on quality parameters. Not a single university in the country has got a place among the best 200 universities of the world, which is a matter of shame for us," Assam Governor J B Patnaik said.
"Most importantly there is nagging fear that university curricula are not synchronised with employment needs," Patnaik added.
Both the governors were addressing the convocation of Berhampur University here.
Patnaik said recruitment of qualified and trained teachers on a large scale was needed for the expansion of higher education.
"It is imperative the governments and their agencies rise to the demands of the emerging knowledge society. Investment in knowledge is essential in building up an egalitarian society," he said.
Patnaik also advised higher educational institutes of linking up with the best universities across the world.
The Assam governor advocated free education for girls up to the university level to increase the literacy rate among them.
"I am of strong opinion women's education should be free up to university level with large number of scholarships and other facilities reserved for them," Patnaik said.
