Impart skill-based education, NAAC panel chief tells varsities

Less than 10% of the three million-odd graduates in arts, science and commerce streams each year have employability skills and there is a need to bring in skill-based quality education to improve employment chances, said Govardhan Mehta, chairman of executive committee of National Assessment and 

Accreditation Council (NAAC). 

 

He was addressing the 105th convocation ceremony at the University of Pune (UoP) on Saturday. Chancellor and governor of Maharashtra, K Sankaranarayanan was absent from the ceremony due to ill health. 

 

Calling upon universities to impart quality education to students, he asked them to consider skill-based training as their right. “Quality education is my birthright and I shall have it,” said Mehta. 

 

He pointed out contrasting social situations, especially the urban-rural divide. “Some Indians are on the list of the richest people in the world and yet our country ranks 134 on human development index. Eight million people use mobile phones in our country but there are hundreds of villages without drinking water or electricity. We are the youngest democracy in the world with the oldest parliamentarians,” said Mehta. 

 

Stating that the youth have a responsibility towards society, he urged those passing out of the university to contribute to development of the varsity and actively participate in nation building. 

 

Meanwhile, 62,238 students received their degrees on the 105th convocation ceremony held on Saturday. Seventy-three students received gold medals from acting vice chancellor Sanjay Chahande, who presided over the function. As many as 3,825 students from arts faculty, 14,191 from commerce, 11,299 students from science received their degrees and 310 students received their doctorates at UoP.