Deemed Universities are the only hope

Deemed Universities are the only hope to bring up the innovative changes in higher education according to Prof. B.P.R. Narasimha Rao, Director, Centre for Outreach Programs, University of Mysore. While speaking in a seminar on “New Initiatives for a New University” organized by GITAM University at GDC auditorium on 18-12-2007, Prof. Narasimha Rao stressed the need of Deemed Universities and its role in new education era.
.
Prof. Narasimha Rao briefed that , according to knowledge commission report India has about 350 universities. This number is simply not enough with reference to our needs in higher education. Yet, some of our universities are much too large, for ensuring academic standards and providing good governance. We need to create more appropriately scaled and more nimble universities. We need a much larger number of universities, say1500 nationwide by 2015, but also that we need smaller universities which are responsive to change and easier to manage. This is only possible by way of establishing deemed universities like GITAM, he added. As expected results are not achieved from conventional universities to promote innovative changes in higher education, the ultimate alternative is Deemed Universities, he observed. He suggested that every two years Universities should change their courses systematically to benefit the students.

Prof. Harinarayana, Director, School of distance education, Andhra University participated as guest of honor and said that Access, Relevance and Quality are important in higher education.

Dr. M.V.V.S. Murthi, Ex-Parliament member and President of GITAM University presided the function and said that the role of a University in a developed country have to take various steps to become a Global player but many Universities confined to particular class of people. He said that the Universities should create pool of talented people and committed teachers. In this direction GITAM University will become a role model to other universities in future, he hoped.

Prof. M.Gangadhara Rao, Vice-Chancellor , GITAM University briefed the recent activities of University and announced that GITAM University is planning to start distance education programs from the next academic year.

Prof. V.V.Kutumba Rao, Director, Engineering College, GITAM University said that UK, USA and Australian Universities are come forward to sign MoU with GITAM University. Industrially relevant curriculum, Collaborative foreign degrees, Industrial R&D and self regulatory mechanism needed in higher education.

Prof.G.Subramanyam, former Registrar, Andhra University and Prof.P.M.Valli, Registrar, GITAM University, senior university faculty members and students were also participated in the seminar.