Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Bhardwaj advises Syndicate members against indulging in such activities

• Do not yield to pressure tactics, Minister told
• Special attention to underprivileged suggested

Mysore: Expressing concern over politics creeping into universities, Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, who is the chancellor of universities, said that he would remove the “disease” or the “virus” which has affected the universities in the State. Speaking after conferring honorary doctorate degrees of the University of Mysore at Crawford Hall here, the Governor, who, in the past, had spoken against “politicking” in universities, advised Syndicate members that they should bring politics into the universities.

Mr. Bhardwaj advised Minister of Higher Education and Pro-Chancellor Arvind Limbavali, who was present, not to come under “pressure” in discharging his responsibilities with respect to universities. He asked Mr. Limbavali to work towards improving universities. He also told the Minister to give special attention to the underprivileged in field of higher education.

Mr. Bhardwaj felt it was the collective responsibility of all those in the university system to uphold the “Guru and Shishya Parampara” (teacher-student tradition). He added that it was a matter of great pride to pursue education in the universities.

The Governor said the vice-chancellors can speak to him directly as he would give direct access to them hereafter instead of waiting for his appointment.

“They can discuss with me whatever matters in the interest of the universities,” he said.

Lamenting that social justice in education was not accomplished, the Governor said the concept of “Sarva Shikshana” has not benefited the entire society. The benefits of education are yet to reach the lower strata of society, he added.

“Instead of focussing only on bringing out vision documents, there is a need for a vision to help the poor, not the affluent sections, achieve progress in the field of education,” he suggested.

Later, in his address, Mr. Limbavali urged faculty in the universities to focus on teaching and improving higher education standards instead of indulging in politics.

“I too have heard that university faculty has reached a stage of outsmarting politicians. I do not believe this but I appeal to them to focus on education to disprove such complaints,” he said.

The Governor presented honorary doctorate degrees announced during the 90th annual convocation of the university to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and University Grants Commission Chairman Sukhadeo Thorat.

Mr. Bhardwaj also released “Vision 2025–University of Mysore”.