All universities would developed as hub of education for reforms in higher education: Pargat Singh

Meets all VCs and asks them to make efforts to integrate Punjabi language, culture and sports with their studies

Chandigarh, October 28:

The Higher Education and Languages Minister Pargat Singh today said that a common system of education would be developed to guide the youth of the state in the right direction and implement quality reforms in the higher education sector. Apart from exchange of new ideas and infrastructure, these institutes would provide such education to the students so as to make them employable as per the demand of the industry.

The minister was stating this during a meeting with the Vice Chancellors of all the universities of the state at Punjab Bhawan here today. The meeting was convened to seek suggestions from all the universities in the state on higher education, to know their problems and to form a common view on higher education.

Pargat Singh described private educational institutions as an important part of the higher education system and hoped that they would not give preference to the purely commercial aspect as quality education could not be compromised. In addition, it is our responsibility to provide equal opportunities in higher education to the needy students, said the Minister. 

The Higher Education Minister asked all the universities and colleges to make efforts to impart syllabus as well as moral education to the students especially to promote Punjabi language, culture and sports. He said that it was a major challenge for Punjab that Punjabi youth were disqualified from recruitment in Army, paramilitary forces and police because they could not pass the physical education test. This is a huge challenge for Punjabis, so our educational institutions have to create a sports friendly environment. At the same time he also took notice of the encouragement of vulgar and violent songs by inviting singers and artists for advertisement in educational institutions and said that efforts should be made to promote a culture that guides the youth in the right direction.

Pargat Singh said that education sector is directly related to our human resource which is the future of our country said Pargat Singh adding that common thinking should be formed on a single platform instead of pursuing different views. He also said that everyone has their own role in their own field but in higher education joint efforts are required to achieve common goals.

Pargat Singh also spoke of setting up an authority to run higher education with the help of experts and academicians in the field. He said that each sector has its own role models whose influence in that sector is acknowledged and these role models should be a part of these sectors. In addition, district level committees of experts will be formed as different areas have their own characteristics. He directed the department to set up these committees as soon as possible and ensure that this committee and the Vice Chancellors of all the universities meet every month.

Addressing the meeting, the Vice Chancellors of various universities said that the syllabus should be up to date. They also emphasized uniformity in the syllabus, providing a platform for students to become entrepreneurs besides involving private institutions in policy making. The knowledge sharing aspect between the institutes located in the state was also emphasized upon. 

The meeting was attended by Secretary Higher Education and Languages Krishan Kumar, DPI (Colleges) Paramjit Singh, Assistant Director (College Education) Dr. Gurdarshan Brar, Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala Prof Arvind along with Vice Chancellors and representatives of all the universities.