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A Journal of the Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU)   

Policy makers' views on the confederative approach

The importance of education, single largest activity the world over, stems not only merely from its size but also from its role as institutionalized knowledge. The most significant feature of education in the 21st Century is the explosion in knowledge, making the latest technology obsolete in a short span of time. I sincerely hope and firmly believe that the Confederation of Indian Universities will expand the horizon of vocational, technical, spiritual and aesthetic spheres of knowledge worldwide.

– Hon'ble Shri Arjun Charan Sethi, Union Minister for Water Resources, Government of India

The establishment of such a Confederation would surely meet the requirements of mutual cooperation among the Universities in exchange of information, educational know-how and consultancy besides strengthening the fiscal health of the Universities of the country and upgrading the quality of education.

– Hon'ble Shri D.N. Sahaya,
Governor of Tripura, Agartala

Indian Universities have done very well in producing quality educated youth and it is no wonder that Indian professionals are in great demand worldwide. Now the knowledge has found various other platforms with the advent of Internet and that more and more people could be imparted quality education through distant learning programmes. Dissemination of knowledge technologically and electronically would result in knowledge explosion, which would touch everybody and help achieve better quality of life. In this regard, I find this endeavour of Confederation of Indian Universities would certainly result in conference of ideas generated by the best of educationists and torchbearers of the education. The educational programmes evolved as a result of this brain storming which would encompass social, cultural, technical, economic, and almost all other fields, shall ignite lakhs of young minds, which will make India, a great Nation.

India has its richest resources in its manpower. If only we are able to leverage this asset, we can not only reduce our liabilities but also stand up to lead the world in its quest for excellence. The race today is not for becoming a superpower by acquiring nuclear weapons. What matters today is the advancement of knowledge, which ushers socio-economic prosperity. Our education system right from kinder garten to universities, requires a modern, practical and professional overhaul. Education should help us understand ourselves better, become self reliant and contribute to the task of nation building. I am sure that the coming together of intellectuals of this great country augurs well not only for the education system but also for the society at large.

Education, as we all know, is the most enlightening exercise in the life of every individual. In this era of knowledge explosion and technological sophistication all educational institutions, especially the universities, have to adapt to the changing needs of the time. I hope that the Confederation of Indian Universities can function as an effective forum for developing better understanding and co-operation among universities and other university level institutions.

I sincerely hope that the ‘‘Li Explosion Scolarie’’ or the explosion of knowledge that we are experiencing in the modern day, can be harnessed towards achieving a better future for humankind, by correct application of the vast and sophisticated, source of knowledge that we today possess. I wish the Confederation of Indian Universities the very best for all future endeavours to spread the light of knowledge to all corners of this great land.

Universities have established a tradition of excellence in the fields of education, which is worthy of emulation. There could not be a better way of honouring Swami Vivekananda than this enterprising endeavour.

Technological advancements in the fields of tele-communication and information technology in India have facilitated the sharing of knowledge and information easily. Education is one of the areas where resources of universities can be utilised optimally with the use of the latest and available technologies. I express my best wishes for the success of the Confederation in its aim to provide an inter-university platform for mutual and technical cooperation with a view to optimising the resources.

In the era of information technology and knowledge, exchange of information, ideas and technical cooperation has vital importance. I hope the Confederation of Indian Universities will be ideal platform to undertake this task.

May the Confederation of Indian Universities progress leaps and bounds in the years to come.

I do hope that the Confederation of Indian Universities would go a long way in achieving its aims and objectives. Please accept my best wishes for the success of the Confederation.

– Hon'ble Shri Vijay Goel, Union Minister of State for
Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India

Education being the largest and the most essential field in the Universe involves the entire population of the country. The entire world has given prominence of the Education sector and are more willing for mutual and technical co-operation amongst the Universities. Establishing of an Confederation of Indian Universities will be a great step in this direction, which will lay a platform for the Indian Universities to interact with the Universities of other countries of the world.

It is gratifying to note that the Confederation of Indian Universities has tried hard by opening numerous educational institutions which have greatly helped in manifesting the youths and giving the importance and a rightful place in the society. We are passing through a critical period, full of mistrust and moral degradation and this is the proper time when we must stress through our activities the strength of moral values and truthfulness.

I hope the Confederation would dedicate itself towards professional development, improvement of service conditions, rights and privileges of its members and in resolving the various problems confronting management and administration of universities.

Dissemination and transmission of knowledge have been considered a sacred social duty in our country since time immemorial. From conventional to modern methods of imparting education, there only has been a change of institutional structure. While on the one hand, spiritual knowledge, human values and wisdom remain unchanged, on the other, modern skills and advancements are so fast changing that there is not much time gap in the state-of-the-art getting obsolete. In the present scenario, mutual cooperation among different Universities in India in respect of exchange of information and technical know-how, prevention of duplication of efforts and for the optimum utilisation of resources for better implementation of educational programmes, is the need of the hour. Therefore, the establishment of the ‘Confederation of Indian Universities’ assumes greater importance.

It is indeed a matter of great pride for all of us that Indian economy is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Needless to say the credit for this achievement that is transforming the socio-economic face of the country goes to our talented human resource. A number of Universities across the country have contributed immensely in this cause by providing the best education and training. In fact, our achievement in the education sector is creating tremendous interest in other parts of the world especially the developing countries. I am confident that the Confederation would further strengthen our efforts to give fillip to education.

In the Information Age of today, Universities have to provide an ambience of "Apostles of Knowledge" leading the Universe to new horizons of development, science, technology, better understanding, humanity and peace. I extend my best wishes for the success of the Confederation of Indian Universities.

Knowledge is at core of all development efforts in advancing economic and social well being in an emerging nation like India. Education is the key for creating, adapting, and spreading knowledge in all disciplines and all subjects. Higher education is a powerful tool to build knowledge for an information-based society. Universities thus have to serve in the twentyfirst century, a multiple role; produce new knowledge, acquire capability to decipher and adapt knowledge produced elsewhere and create an intelligent human power at all levels, through challenging Teaching and Research activities, which would balance, both, need (quality) and demand (quantity).

There is an urgent need for mutual and technical cooperation among the Universities in India, in order to control duplication of efforts and wastage in Higher Education. These days, no single institution has expertise in all the areas at levels of advancement, which is an essential requirement. In such a situation, linkages, collaborations and joint ventures necessarily become matters of imperative rather than choice. With regards to agricultural sciences, partnership needs to be developed between not only state agricultural universities and ICAR institutions, but also with international organizations, CGIAR institutes and private industries.

Teachers and Scientists of this University as well as myself are very much pleased to learn that an initiative has been taken by your goodself to form Confederation of Indian Universities to disseminate the knowledge to different consumers. For this process many a times wasteful expenditure are incurred in duplication of the programme and the institutions are not aware of the availability of information with other institutions. In the absence of a common platform such issues like duplicacy etc. are bound to occur. Confederation of Indian Universities will address to many such issues to reduce wasteful expenditure.

The universities as well established institutions of higher education can keep abreast with the challenges relating to generation and dissemination of knowledge only when very close mutual and technical cooperation is promoted among them and far greater emphasis is laid on updating the existing cirricula and evolving appropriate methodologies in tune with the latest advancements and employing them for imparting knowledge to the students. It is a very encouraging gesture that the Confederation of Indian Universities in the country is taking serious steps in this direction. I am sure that the Confederation will play a noteworthy role in promoting desired changes in the university system concerned with high education in order that a development process with overtones of justice may be fostered as dreamt in our Constitution.

The strategies to overcome the challenges in higher education may include steps like linkages and intensive tie-ups of Universities with development departments, industries and NGOs, facility and faculty upgradation, development of faculty competence and capability in emerging areas of science and technology, vocational courses for skill development, realistic assessment of the nature and type of manpower needs, curriculum planning and reorientation to meet manpower needs, etc. The Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU) can be an effective platform to push up the mandatory task of various Universities to achieve excellence in education with accelerated momentum.

It is said that "Gyan Yoga" and "Gyani" are the supreme and lead the society and the nation as a whole. The great Indian Peninsula consists of huge population which is in the quest of qualitative and competitive higher education and is eager to join "le explosion scolarie". The character building and economic richness are two expectations of modern education. With the tremendous progress in communication technology, the ways and means of disbursement of higher education are changing rapidly. To cope with the rapid progress and economic war through intellectual property rights, it is the right time that we get together and think seriously in total the model of higher education for the character and economic progress of the society. I greatly welcome the establishment of Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU) which is in consonance with this thought.

I sincerely hope that the birth of the Confederation will usher in a new era of quality higher education, that is also capable of generating employment in our country on an adequate scale. It is reassuring to know that you have resolved to take on the onerous responsibility of reviewing the present state of higher education in India in the light of the challenge, both contemporary and of future and, investing it with a new meaning and purpose.

It is high time that a thorough review of the policies and frame work of need to be made and appropriate strategies to be developed in the context of globalization of education and its possible ramification. The main objectives of the Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU) are very clear and address the contemporary issues of higher education in India. I congratulate every involved in the idea of formulating the Confederation and I wish a great grand success for Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU).

Development of the nation is related to the state of higher education in the country. Higher Education in India is at crossroads due to the impact of globalisation and increasing cost and decreasing resources. Technological developments have also altered the mode and methods of teaching. Indian universities have to compete with international players. It is necessary for universities to take stock of the situation and join hands to improve quality, to make education cost effective and relevant to needs of the country.

It is expected that the Confederation will provide ample opportunities for the mutual and technical co-operation among the Universities in India with the exchange of information and trading in educational know-how and consultancy.

Our University with progressive ideas and concerns towards environmental sustenance, would like to become a part of it as co-sponsor. You might be aware of the contributions of this University in the north western zone of U.P.

I do hope that the establishment of CIU on the occasion of the Higher Education And Development Day i.e. on 15th April 2004 will enhance the cooperation and positive interaction among the educationists and educational institutions.

I am happy to note that such a noble cause is being pursued. I am very much in agreement that there is an urgent need for mutual and technical cooperation among universities. Our University is very keen for the same and would like to co-sponsor the birth of Confederation of Indian Universities.

In the twentyfirst century the main objective of our education may be hampered under a commercialised system where education is accepted as a 'private article' and a 'marketable commodity'. In the sunrise of the twentyfirst century the proposed summit will prove its utility and relevance.

I would like to convey my good wishes for the inauguration of the Confederation of Indian Universities slated on 15 April 2004 at New Delhi. I on behalf of Anna University do hereby offer the consent regarding the co-sponsorship of the CIU.

We fully affirm that the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi give consent to be a co-sponsor of the birth of CIU without any financial commitment. The documents CIU is about to distribute on 15th April 2004, such as Encyclopaedias on environment, pollution control, disaster management are the focus of the current planning and architecture in SPA.

Our University will be ready to provide the moral and intellectual support that the Confederation would need in its pursuits for academic and technical excellence.