New Delhi (NVI): More autonomy is being given to higher education institutions in the country like IITs and IIMs so that they can take decisions according to their needs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.
He said the first IIM Act gave more rights to IIMs across the country. “The National Medical Commission has been created to bring more transparency in medical education. Two new laws are also being enacted for bringing in reforms in Homeopathy and other Indian medical practices,” the PM said while virtually addressing the 100th centenary convocation of the University of Mysore.
The PM also highlighted that the Central Government has established a number of new IITs and IIMs in the last 5-6 years.
“A total of seven new IIMs have been established in the last five to six years. Before this, there were only 13 IIMs in the country. Similarly, for seven decades only seven All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) were serving the country. After the year 2014, more than double i,e, 15 AIIMS have been established in the country or are in the process of starting,” the PM said.
He further said that there were only 16 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in the country till 2014, even after so many years of independence. “In the last 6 years, on average, a new IIT has been opened every year. One of these is also open in Dharwad, Karnataka. As of 2014, there were 9 IIITs in India. In the subsequent 5 years, 16 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) have been established,” he added.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister said the new National Education Policy (NEP) would give new impetus by bringing about fundamental changes in the entire education sector.
He said the focus of the NEP is multidimensional to make the youth in the country competitive through a flexible and adaptable education system. He said Skilling, Reskilling and Upskilling is the greatest need of the hour.
Efforts in higher education over the last 5-6 years are not limited to only opening new institutions but work has also been done on governance reforms in these institutions to ensure gender equality and social inclusiveness, PM said.
“At every level of education, the gross enrolment ratio of girls is higher than boys across the country. Even in higher education, and in relation to innovation and technology, the participation of girls has increased,” he said.
During the convocation, Prime Minister laid emphasis on National Education Policy and its reach. He said that NEP is a huge campaign to bring fundamental changes to the entire education setup of the country, from pre-nursery to Ph.D.
However, in order to make the capable youth of our country more competitive, the focus is on a multidimensional approach, he said.
During the convocation, PM Modi also hailed the University of Mysore institute and said, “The University of Mysore is the center of the rich education system of ancient India and the hopes and capabilities of the future of India. This university has realised the vision and resolutions of Rajarshi “Nalvadi Krishnaraj Wadeyar and M. Visvesvaraya Ji.”
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala was present on the occasion along with other dignitaries including members of the syndicate and the academic council, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, statutory officers and district officers.
-RJV/ARK
