Sir,
This has reference to the news item’There should be no room for intolerance in edu.institutes: Prez’ (DE, Mar18, 2017).While addressing a special convocation of the University of Mumbai to confer Doctor of Law to famous agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan,President Pranab Mukherjee has rightly said that there should be no room for intolerance, prejudice and hatred in educational institutes. The educational institutes, especially the institutes of higher learning should act as flagbearers for coexistence of multiple views, thoughts and philosphies.They ought not to function as centres for spreading intolerance and hatred.
There should be an ambience of humane values,goodwill, universal brotherhood and unhindered intellectual pursuits in a university and other institutes of higher learning and in no case should they become the hotbed of misguided thinking.They should create such an atmosphere in their premises where students can find opportunity to nurture their talent and get motivated for inclusive research, innovation and responsive education.
These institutes must strive to function as centres of quality education and seats of knowledge .These institutes should enlighten the students’ ever curious mind and encourage them to study and explore arts and sciences, ancient and modern by adopting interdisciplinary approach and aim at imparting cross cultural education for transforming this world in a positive manner.The educational institutes also ought to develop critical, social and independent skills in students, which help them work with others in harmony and in teamspirit so that they develop into good and responsible citizens as they leave the universities and are able to face the challanges of the fast changing world.His suggestion that courses in campuses must be aligned to the needs of the industry and that corporate experts should advise academic managers on industrial requirements in the course curricula,ought to be seriously considered by the universities and other institutes of higher learning while introducing new courses or reviewing the existing ones so that students pursue courses which have market value and which enhance their employability.
Yours etc…
Antika Sharma
Udhampur
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