Governor flays student unrest that adversely impacts prospects of institutions

Governor P. Sathasivam has deplored student unrest which could adversely impact the assessment of higher education institutions and thereby affect their prospects in enhancing quality.

He was speaking while inaugurating an awareness workshop on quality assessment and accreditation, organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), at the University of Kerala on Monday.

Referring to the recent suspension of assessment by NAAC in an aided college in the district, Mr. Sathasivam questioned whether the approach was ideal to uphold quality in education.

“Such levity does not suit the high standards of education, digital empowerment, and overall human development index that Kerala has achieved through years of hard work. By not taking quality seriously, we are also ignoring the strides we have made by creating one of the best start-up ecosystems in the country,” he said.

He also called for sensitising the entire academic and local communities, and not just college managements, to the need for securing accreditation as a means for enhancing the credibility of institutions.

Quality concerns

The Governor held the view that the phenomenal growth in the number of institutions had made quality a matter of great concern.

“The country has a very dynamic and large higher education system with about 45,000 colleges and 800-odd universities. Though, we have improved our Gross Enrolment Ratio through a horizontal expansion of institutions, our efforts to ensure quality that matches such a growth are still only halfway. More importantly, the yardsticks of quality in education are being revisited in terms of innovation and contribution to knowledge-based economy,” Mr. Sathasivam said.

He exhorted college Principals to become the leaders of change in institutions by convincing teachers on the need to adopt the right technology and go beyond conventional textual knowledge. In return, universities and the collegiate system must respect the academic autonomy and integrity of teachers.

NAAC Director S.C. Sharma delivered the presidential address. NAAC adviser M.S. Shyamsundar, UGC Joint Secretary G. Srinivas, and Professor in-charge of the office of the Vice Chancellor, Kerala University, C. Ganesh spoke.