KALABURAGI (Karnataka): Indian academic institutions should adopt a more proactive approach to highlight their credentials on the world stage so that they do not lag behind in global rankings, President Pranab Mukherjee today said while stressing that world-class education was feasible only with world-class faculty.
A higher rank improves morale, enhances job prospects of students and helps attract both quality faculty and meritorious students, he said in his address here at the second convocation of the Central University of Karnataka.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction that for the first time, two Indian institutions have figured amongst the top 200 universities this year. I hope other Indian institutions would follow suit,” Mukherjee said.
He said that the newer universities, through a sustained effort at better academic management, can soon be in the reckoning in global rankings.
Nations have since the times past overcome poverty, social ills and economic turmoil to push their productive frontiers on the foundation of a robust education system, he said.
In ancient India, a thriving culture of knowledge generation and propagation existed, backed by such renowned seats of learning as Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, Valabhi and Odantapuri, which were a melting pot for scholastic pursuits of learners from far and wide, he said.
“The scenario is quite dissimilar now. Our institutions of higher learning lag behind many in the international rankings brought out by reputed agencies,” the President said.
“For the last three years, on different occasions, I have urged Indian institutions to adopt a more proactive approach to present their credentials better,” he said.
Adding that world-class education was feasible only with world-class faculty, Mukherjee stressed that faculty development must be the top priority for institutions.
“In the context of teaching, we have to overcome the twin challenges of closing the vacancy gap expeditiously and also attracting meritorious people to this profession. A flexible approach to mitigate shortage of teachers is needed,” he said.
Adjunct faculty from industry and research institutions can be hired, he said, adding that they would provide an industry orientation in the higher education pedagogy.
Specialists from abroad could inject new ideas, he said, adding that the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) was a welcome step in this direction. (PTI)
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