TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Goa Governor and Chancellor of Goa University Bharat Vir Wanchoo, said that if we “rise above narrow political and parochial considerations,” the state can become a major education hub.
Addressing the 25th university convocation held Saturday at the university complex, he urged the graduates to keep in sight their roots and values and as they move on in the world and confront what it throws at them to keep in view their family and its contribution to turn them into respected citizens of the country and world.
“Let your roots be a source of strength to your ambitions and your actions,” he exhorted, wanting the state to pay more attention to the quality of education.
Prof. Goverdhan Mehta, National Research Professor, University of Hyderabad , Dr. Satish R,. Shetye, Vice Chancellor of Goa University, DrV P Kamat, Registrar, members of the court, executive council, academic council and other bodies of the university, deans of faculties, principals of colleges, heads of departments, members of faculties, recipients of degrees, award winners were present.
The Governor told the gathering that over 95 per cent of the 26,000 students in the GU are run with the support of the government.
“Our Gross Enrolment Ratio often called by its acronym GER, a measure of percentage of population that enters degree and diploma programmes is 28.3 per cent,” the fourth highest in the state (national average is 15 per cent.).
He said that it was his firm belief that GU had the wherewithal to grow as a Centre of Excellence in Higher Education. But determined efforts are necessary. He hoped that the people of Goa and particularly those concerned with higher education would make determined and visionary efforts to take Goa University to newer heights of academic excellence at par with global standards.
The Governor said he had confidence in Goa University and hoped that with commissioning of new facilities on the campus, and with the faculty dedicating itself to rejuvenation of higher levels of quality in teaching and research will be achieved and sustained at the University.
“This is a necessity because progress of out economy is linked to quality of our higher education and to research competence,” he said saying that he expected the teaching faculty both in the colleges and at the University will rededicate themselves to this important task which is directly linked to nation building.
The Governor said he believed that the prost graduate and doctoral programmes in Goa University needed to follow a two pronged approach if they are to serve the required purpose.
“Firstly, there should be efficient use of resources while pursuing excellence in teaching and secondly there should be vigorous research to complement teaching. A culture of vigorous research is necessary for achieving excellence in teaching. The insights gained through quality research are bound to get translated into excellence in teaching and research broadens the horizons of both the teacher and the student,” he said.
Goverdhan Mehta, National Research Professor, University of Hyderabad said that commitment to integrity, sense of fairness and objectivity and upholding of academic values are the best insulation against any extraneous meddling.
“Teachers and administrators within the academic fraternity should not only educate, nurture and enthuse the young generation but also lead by example,” he said adding, “Preparing enlightened citizens for tomorrow and nurturing a society that values scholarship, discovery and creative endeavours is an integral responsibility of universities and educational institutions.
Dr Satish Shetye, Vice Chancellor said that, “we look back with satisfaction on the evolution of higher education in the post-Liberation Goa. Perhaps we could claim that ours is the one of the most accessible and inclusive higher education systems in the country.”
But Shetye acknowledged that in the next decade there is need to focus on attaining a quantum jump in quality of education, given the standard of education at Goa University.
