KOLKATA: Raising concerns about poor quality of education in the country, President Pranab Mukherjee today said there was a “general apathy” towards research here while the BRICS countries like Brazil and China were far ahead in this field.
Delivering Debaranajan Mukherji Memorial Lecture here at Rajbhavan, Mukherjee said there is no doubt that there is a shortage of academics and faculty but it can be partly managed by technology, information technology and internet tools.
“Our emphasis on research and development is very scanty. There is general apathy towards research. In BRICS countries, Brazil and China are far ahead in research work,” he said.
The President said he has been raising question that among so many IITs, NITs, IISc do not figure in the top ratings by international agencies.
“While filing for rating we do not take care how to file relevant information. Another aspect was we were not realising that today’s world is emerging as a global world. Discovery of internet and its massive use, mobile phones, massive spread of televisions has completely overhauled the perception and views of people,” he said.
The President said we are not emphasising the cross fertilisation of views among the intellectuals, faculty members from other universities.
He also said there was lack of exchange programme among students and faculty.
Recalling his student days, Mukherjee said the quality of teaching is also not the same now.
Late Debranjan Mukherji was the teacher of President Pranab Mukherjee at Vidyasagar College, Burdwan.
He taught Bengali language and literature but his knowledge in Sanskrit and Law was equally unique. (AGENCIES)
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