Vice Chancellors conference held at Dr.BR Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, participated by Hon'ble Governor Sri E.S.L. Narasimhan

Hyderabad, October 6:

Speaking at the first conference of the Vice Chancellors of Telangana State, held at B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Sri E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of AP and Telangana said that the Telangana government and the Sri Kadiyam Srihari, Dy. CM and Education Minister in particular are taking lot of interest in strengthening the Higher Education in the new State and much has been done for the Higher Education in the past three years. He said that Telangana Government had permitted the Universities to fill the vacancies of faculty positions in Universities and that the Vice Chancellors should fix a  time frame for filling up the vacant faculty posts in all Universities. Governor said that the Universities should prepare Academic Calendars, including schedule for admissions, examinations, declaration of results etc.

Governor further said that doctoral research done in Universities should have societal relevance. He said that the Universities should ensure that only quality research is carried on with definite time frame to complete the Ph.D. New courses should be evaluated and its relevance to job market should be assessed. He said it is the quality of Higher Education that matters and not the quantity. Governor said he is happy with the NAAC rankings for the Universities, however Campus recruitment should be given top priority and commercialisation of higher education is not acceptable.

Governor further said that all Universities should set up Academic Councils and Executive Councils with members of higher learning and they should meet regularly and discuss on how to improve the curriculum and quality of teaching etc. He also said that technology should be utilised to monitor attendance of faculty and students through biometric devices and CCTV cameras should be installed in all constituent colleges and affiliated colleges. Governor further said that his Government has zero tolerance for corruption and audit of funds released to all Universities should be done on a periodic basis. He also said that performance of the Universities will be judged on the basis of employability of the students coming out of the Universities. Governor said that Telangana State should reach number one position in Higher Education, in the country and the Vice Chancellors are responsible to achieve the same.

Governor appreciated the system of Faculty Development Programme implemented by JNTU and said that all other Universities should adopt the same.

On this occasion, Governor also launched the redesigned website of Dr. BR Ambedkar Open University.

Sri Kadiyam Srihari, Dy. CM and Education Minister said assured the Governor that action plan will be drawn up to fill all faculty position in the Universities within six months. He told the Vice Chancellors that Universities should function as Centres of Excellence.

Smt. Ranjeev Acharya, Spl. Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Sri Papi Reddy, Chairman, Telangana State Council of Higher Education, Sri Harpreet Singh, Principal Secretary to Governor and Vice Chancellors of 11 Universities, attended the conference.  

-Press note