LUCKNOW: CM Yogi Adityanath on Monday said institutes of higher learning are not degree mending machines.
“It is unfortunate that the universities since decades have turned into political institutions and quality education was never a priority here. Now this will not happen. We will hold a massive campaign to get the education system rid of the mafia,” Yogi said while chairing a meeting with VCs of six universities — Agra, Meerut, Jaunpur, Aligarh, Azamgarh and Saharanpur on Monday.
Asking the higher education officials to expedite the construction related work of the three newly established universities, each in Aligarh (Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University), Azamgarh (Maharaja Suheldev University) and Saharanpur (Maa Shakumbari State University), the CM said, “The progress of construction work, so far, of the three new universities is not satisfactory.”
Seeking a fortnightly report from the universities and PWD for various construction activities undertaken by them, the CM said, “The quality should not be compromised and work should be done in a time-bound manner.” In addition, regional higher education officers too have been asked to submit their inspection reports to the CM office.
The CM directed officials to immediately appoint a fulltime registrar, deputy registrar, controller of examination and finance officer. Work of creation of new posts, if needed, should be done at the earliest. Stressing that the three newly built universities must not face manpower crunch, the CM directed officials to depute employees from Agra, Jaunpur and Meerut universities to the new ones. “There are boundless possibilities for development. It’s a golden opportunity to develop a new work culture in these new temples of learning. They will definitely set a new dimension in higher education and research,” he said.
To maintain transparency, Yogi asked officials to ensure agencies that are preparing detailed project reports (DPR) for various projects do not participate in the tendering process for implementation of these projects. He asked officials to act immediately on matters pertaining to these three universities and keep nothing pending.
“In any problem situation, VCs should not hesitate in contacting the CM office,” he said. He further directed the VCs and officials to finish the affiliation work. “The affiliation process should be simple. Departmental ministers must review the progress of inspection undertaken at these universities.
And the review meeting should be in the premises only,” the CM instructed officials. He asked VCs to keep in mind the suggestions of PM Narendra Modi to introduce defence based courses. “Universities should take care of local necessities and industrial needs before they finalise their syllabus,” the CM said.
