THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar clarified that there should be no political intervention in universities and among students, teachers and staff. Emphasis should be placed on the growth and well-being of students and solving problems. The Governor also suggested that the National Education Policy should be implemented as it is.

"Everyone has their own politics. But the education sector should be above politics. Campus politics should not harm students," the governor said in a meeting with the vice-chancellors at Raj Bhavan.

"Research should be given importance in universities. There should be research results useful to the society. There should be courses in coastal security, maritime security and port development. Curriculum should be made in consultation with industry leaders. More advanced courses should be made based on the Indian knowledge system. New courses should be in accordance with the times. Vice-chancellors should visit colleges."

The governor will come

The governor will visit the universities to interact with the students and teachers for a day. Defects will be asked in person. "Exam and result declaration should be done on time. There should be an ombudsman for redressal of students' grievances. Sports training should be provided as part of the plan to create more Olympians." The governor told the VCs that he would also seek public opinion about the universities. 11 VCs, apart from the VCs of Sanskrit and Technical Universities, who were in Delhi for official purposes, attended the function. The registrars of Sanskrit and Technical Universities were the officials who participated in the function instead of the VCs.

Kannur VC against the council

Kannur University VC Dr KK Shaju said in the meeting that the higher education council, which is only advisory in nature, is forgetting that and issuing orders. He also pointed out that the discussions in the meetings attended by the Minister of Higher Education, who is the Chairman of the Council, are being passed down as orders. Another VC pointed out that more experts should be included in academic committees and many decisions are rendered irrelevant due to delays in government approval.