Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday announced that the Central government will set up as many as 30 new Universities across the country in the next three months.
Addressing a gathering at the closing ceremony of the sesquicentennial celebrations of University of Mumbai on Friday evening, Dr Singh said the University Grants Commission and the Planning Commission are already working in this direction.
"These universities will play a major role in expanding access to quality education across the country. These institutions should also be rated among the best universities in the world," the prime minister said.
The prime minister believed that the country needed a quantum leap in its approach to higher education.
Calling for a revamp of the existing system on the basis of better access and excellence, Dr Singh said that the new universities will be supplemented with the best faculty team, physical resources, wide range of disciplines and a diverse student body.
"These universities will become the launching pads for our country's entry into the knowledge economy. As per the target set by the Knowledge Commission, we should attain a gross enrolment ratio of at least 15 per cent to be considered on par with most modern societies," he said.
Another highlight of the prime minister's address was the government's decision to universalise secondary education system in the country.
The 'success' of the Sarva Siksha Abhyan was attributed as the inspiration behind this move. This project has also been given an estimated incubation period of 'two to three' months.
"The expansion of higher education sector should be complemented with the development of the secondary education since the former needs a large pool of students passing out from schools for its success," Dr Singh observed.
He also stressed upon the rampant politicisation of the education sector in the country, especially at state university level. He shunned favouritism, nepotism and the rampant political undercurrents prevalent in a large number of universities.
Keeping in stride with these projects, the government is also mulling the introduction of a national system of scholarships and loan support network for financially-challenged students.
Also present on the occasion were Maharashtra Governor and University Chancellor of His Excellency SM Krishna and Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. The prime minister released a 'Vision document,' a paperback compilation of the activities, achievements and objectives of the University. The sesquicentennial celebrations that came to a conclusion on Friday was launched on July 18,2006.
