PANJIM: The state will soon have a proper educational hub, educational estate and six new full-fledged colleges in the field of media, theater and films with Goa government notifying a road map for consolidation, diversification and rejuvenation of collegiate education.
In its report to the government, the nine-member committee comprising education experts has recommended setting up new institutions in the field of media studies, theater, films, design, entrepreneurship, innovation and incubation, and integrated college of education at the undergraduate level to begin with.
Likewise, an open university for digital learning was also suggested in keeping with emerging requirement of IT industries at the global level while also mentioning that Goa has the potential to emerge as a world-class educational hub subject to concerted and well planned efforts backed by strong political will and public support.
“Goa is destined to play a big role in the educational resurgence of India provided it brings about renewal, resurgence and reforms bordering on resurrection of its own education system as envisaged in its new education policy,” reads the report, prepared after an extensive study of the education scenario in the state.
It also recommended setting up three ‘well planned, well endowed, modern and futuristic educational estates’ – one each for the two districts and the third one for Pernem. “Invite the Ivy League of educational institutions from India and abroad to set up their campuses in these estates,” it further suggests.
The committee headed by educationist and retired principal of MES College M S Kamat, also spoke about rejuvenating the higher education system as people are clamouring for higher standard of living and better quality of life.
“They deserve the fulfillment of hopes and aspirations. The society must be developed, economy must grow… This is a monumental challenge but it must be met decisively without delay. Therefore a major task before Goa now is to create a strong, capable and responsive system of education as a driving force for the much needed developmental effort,” the report adds.
The committee that held two meetings in July 2013 and December 2014 was set up to recommend a mechanism to consider applications for the establishments of new colleges in Goa.
Patting the Goa government’s back, the committee stated that the higher education system in the state grew rapidly after 1987 when Goa attained statehood. It observed that post statehood, Goa witnessed rapid, wide pervading growth of higher and technical education and that establishment of Goa University in 1985, as an apex educational institution, was a remarkable landmark in the higher education.
“Equally remarkable development has been the establishment of arts, commerce and science colleges by the Goa government, particularly in rural areas bringing quality higher education to the door steps of hitherto unserved, under privileged sections of rural community,” says the report.
