Call to develop knowledge society

“It is inevitable to establish new (educational)institutions. It is not merely to meet the enrolment demands, but more for ushering in a new knowledge society,” said Prof M Anandakrishnan, Chairman, The Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

His remarks set the tone for deliberations at the inaugural of a national conference on “Indian Higher Education: Contemporary Challenges and Prespectives,” at the Madras Christian College here on Monday.

Delivering the key note address on the opening day of the three-day meet, Anandakrishnan expressed hope that the new educational institutions would help bridge imbalances and address the special economic, social, and technological needs of different regions of the country.

Criticising the ‘hype’ created by a section of private higher education institutions by referring to their advertisments which often had “exaggerated” and sometimes “misleading” claims, he said, “In spite of the great deal of hype, the number of high calibre private institutions in India is insignificant. The Indian higher education system has a great future if the Centre, States and private investors resolve to strive towards a common national purpose.” Talking about the challenges  in the higher education scenario in India, Prof Dr William  Sweet, Director of the Centre for Philosophy, Theology and Cultural Tradition at the St Francis Xavier University, Canada, said: “The biggest challenge today is the broad engagement and genuine accessbility of higher education to everyone , not just limited to the elites. Secondly, how to make more students do art, culture and history studies. Thirdly, how to make the benefits of international education available to students.”

Mike Nithavrianakis , British Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai said: “We look forward to the British universites  to have long-term partnership with Indian institutions of higher education. I am sure both sides have lot to offer and learn from each other.”

MCC Principal Dr R W Alexander Jesudasan said that even historically India had been a centre of higher education with examples like Nalanda University.

“As we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the  MCC, we look foward to grow in a direction, keeping with our tradition of excellence. This three day conference, will have delibrations on various current topics that concerns in Indian higher education.”