LATERAL ENTRY AT HIGHER GOVT. LEVEL, A POSITIVE MOVE AND OUGHT TO BE EXTENDED TO HIGHER ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, DR. SATYA PAL SINGH AT PHD CHAMBER
Minister of State for Human Resource Development and Higher Education, Government of India, Dr. Satya Pal Singh on Monday made a significant disclosure announcing that discrimination between public and private academic institutions would gradually come to an end since the matter is under serious consideration at the level of highest polity as well as republic institution such as the President of Indian Republic as well its Prime Minister.
The Minister also supported extension of ongoing thinking of lateral entry in various ministries at the rank of Joint Secretaries to even educational institutions as it would amount to acceleration of quality and speed including transparency in quicker dispensation of public policies and that the matter ought not to be politicized by vested interests.
Inaugurating 7th National Summit on Institutionalizing Academia-Industry Interface under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Dr. Singh emphasized saying that the government of the day is trying its best for confluence of industry-academia institutions and accordingly bringing in the public domain a fresh curriculum for engineering and polytechnic institutions, informing that a new curriculum for polytechnic students would be offing in next few days.
Elaborating on the issue of discrimination in public private academic institutions on various fronts, Dr. Singh stated it ought to end as soon as possible as I have personally taken up this subject with the President of Indian Republic and its Prime Minister. That is the priority and significance that this government attached on the matter, added the Minister hoping that something positive would come about it in times to come.
Talking about the proposed policy matter relating to lateral entry at the level of senior government officials, the Minister stood in support of it and even indicated that such a move should be extended even to educational departments of repute to improve upon their quality and accompanying attributes with it.
Dr. Singh also reiterated that in a bid to further cement industry-academia interface, new curriculum is being designed for engineering and other professional and vocational students from next academic year with particular emphasis on polytechnic institutions for which the new curriculum is likely to be designed and put on public domain in next few days.
This exercise, according to the Minister aims at intensifying industry-academic interactions as students studying in such institutions would have to work with industry at different levels beginning with internship and ending their interface on productions floors also.
In his welcome remarks, President, PHD Chamber, Mr. Anil Khaitan emphasized that the focus of education, be it elementary or higher secondary should be on quality that empowers the learner with skills so that the knowledge earned is applied for earning and even wealth creation.
Chairman, Education Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr. Nishan Berlia in his presentation reiterated that the outcomes of success in industry and academia collaboration will depend upon technological advancement and talent acceptability & vibrancy. He also asserted for increased autonomy for performing private sector higher education institutions, R&D dynamism in industry-academia and shortage of quality & relevant faculty, freeing constraints on capital investments and remedying indirect taxation in education.
Co-Chairperson, Education Committee, PHD Chamber, Dr. Rubina Mittal proposed the formation of Council for Industry and Higher Education Collaboration (CIHEC) with the objective to provide a robust framework for engagement and collaboration between industry and academia.
Co-Chairman, Education Committee, PHD Chamber, Dr. Vishwa Mohan Bansal deliberated on increasing trust and bridge the gap between bureaucracy and academia through regular meetings and interactions. Dr. Jatinder Singh, Director, PHD Chamber proposed the vote of thanks.
