Mumbai, March 17 (IANS). Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of the state’s public universities Jishnu Dev Verma on Tuesday interacted with vice-chancellors through video conferencing from Lok Bhawan in Mumbai for the first time after assuming office.
Governor Jishnu Dev Verma asked the Vice Chancellors to improve their national ranking and set time-bound targets to achieve it.
To increase the gross enrollment ratio of students in universities, he stressed that institutions should strengthen their relationships with schools and motivate students to pursue higher education.
In this regard, he directed the universities to take innovative initiatives under the ‘School Connect’ program and emphasized that they should adopt out-of-the-box approach while implementing it.
He said that the ‘Swayamsiddha’ initiative launched for empowerment of women and enhancing employability through skill education is very important and should be implemented seriously by the universities.
Governor Jishnu Dev Verma further said that Lok Bhavan will review the implementation of both ‘School Connect’ and ‘Swayamsiddha’ schemes and universities will have to submit quarterly reports on these initiatives.
He also said that universities performing exceptionally well in these initiatives may be considered for awards such as medals or trophies. The successful initiatives launched by the universities will be replicated in other institutions also.
The Governor further said that he will soon hold a detailed discussion with all the Vice Chancellors.
Secretary to the Governor, Prashant Narnavare, in his opening address provided information regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy, national ranking of universities, women empowerment, Swayamsidh initiative, skill development and ‘School Connect’ programme.
Meanwhile, a 17-member group of senior military and civil service officers from India and friendly countries met Governor Jishnu Dev Verma at Lok Bhawan during their study tour of Maharashtra. The group is currently undergoing training in economic diplomacy at the National Defense College.
The delegation included Brigadier level officers from the Indian Navy, Air Force and Army, as well as officers from the Revenue Service. The delegation also included senior military officers from Russia, Oman, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nepal and Tanzania. The group was led by Major General Harkirat Singh, a senior faculty member of the National Defense College.
–IANS
ASH/DKP
