Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110751171700.htm

Back Get involved in setting up varsities, pvt sector told

Mr Kapil Sibal

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Nov. 6 The Minister for Human Resource Development, Mr Kapil Sibal, has urged industry to step up cooperation with the Government in building universities.

Speaking at the FICCI Higher Education Summit, Mr Sibal said, “Building of world-class colleges and universities has to be based on the public-private partnership model.”

Mr Sibal further called on global institutes to participate in the Indian education sector.

“University systems all over the world have to come together to find solutions to the problems of the world. It is in the interest of global entrepreneurs to train engineers and absorb them in economic activity. Education has to be on the same pedestal as business.”

Prof Pankaj Jalote, Director, IIT Delhi, said, “Setting up a university requires a lot of money. It consumes a lot of resources. There needs to be a donation; not an investment, but a donation of the order of Rs 50-100 crore. This is where industry is required.”

Also at the event, Ms Sushma Berlia, President, Apeejay Stya Group, called for a reduction in regulations in the education sector.

Addressing the seminar, Ms Berlia said, “The real growth, expansion and command of the industry has come post-liberalisation. Regulations should exist at the entry-level to check on the infrastructure capabilities of institutes. Admission criteria, course programmes and the location of institutes do not need regulations.”

On the issue of regulations, Prof Jalote said, “The structure needs to be such that universities do not become private shops where a person holds the Chairman’s post for an unjustifiable amount of time. Also, there needs to be strict disclosure and transparency norms in place in the universities.”