The Association of Indian College Principals (AICP) and Sri Krishna Arts and Science College (SKASC), Coimbatore jointly conducted the Eighteenth International Conference on Role of Higher Education in National/International Development at Coimbatore.
The Tamil Nadu State Higher Education Minister K. P. Anbalagan and S.P. Velumani, Minister for Municipal Administration jointly inaugurated the conference. The two-day conference was concluded today with the valedictory programme. Dr.Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor of Goa University was the Chief Guest and addressed the principals in the valedictory event.
He stated that higher education needs new approach. The colleges must play a significant role to improve the higher education. He also instituted the curriculum that must be prepared to meet the present needs.
Dr.P.R.Krishnakumar, Chancellor of Avinashilingam University, Coimbatore presided over the programme and stressed out the importance of life education and inclusion of culture and values in the academia. Dr.Subash Brahmbhatt, President and Dr.P.Shekhar, Vice-president of AICP, S. Malarvizhi, Chairperson and Managing Trustee of Sri Krishna Institutions, Dr. K. Sundararaman, CEO of the Institution, Dr. P. Babagnanakumar, Principal of Sri Krishna Arts and Science College and about 280 Principals from different states participated in the the valedictory function.
The Association drafted 23 resolutions such as demanding a separated body of the heads may be set up at the national level to prepare a time bound action plan/roadmap which will be supported with adequate funding from the Central Government, substantially increase the number of universities and colleges, suitable strategy to increase the number of Universities and Colleges, requesting to increase 100 national universities from its current proposal that is 50 national universities.
Also, the association proposed regulating the conditions to receive resources from NGO for expanding higher education facility, all appointments of VC, Principals and faculties should be free from corruption and political interference in all the states, the tenure condition in the case of appointments of principals in colleges may be withdrawn, providing effective trainings for academicians, more number of workshops must be organized by the MHRD on curriculum framing, creating new structure as human resource development centre, demanding total autonomy, uniform funding for deemed universities, autonomous and private colleges, creating a separate body to conduct examinations, forming National research Council.
It was also suggested to combine all the departments in higher education as one, filing up vacant positions, a provision for corporate educational responsibility, increasing states and central outlays to education, independent regulatory institutions should be set up at the national level, focus on preparing scholars and researchers in humanities and basic sciences and removing conditions in the UGC on funding.
It has been reported that the association heads are going to handover these resolutions to the Central Government.