Higher education still faces many challenges in India: Pranab

Former President Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday the spread of higher education still faces many challenges in India despite several measures taken by the central and state governments.

Addressing the 29th Convocation of Kalyani University in Nadia district, Mukherjee said despite several measures taken by central and state governments, higher education is yet to reach certain groups of people, including women.

"Challenges faced in spread of higher education remains many and diverse in the country," Mukherjee, who was conferred the Hony D Litt by the university, said.

Talking about autonomy in higher educational institutions, he said that universities perform a significant role in academic autonomy.

Colleges too have scope for innovation in such situation, he said.

Mukherjee also advocated integration between undergraduate and postgraduate institutions.

"Integration and coordination between UG and PG institutions require further attention," he said.

Mukherjee said the higher education bodies, in concurrence of state and central governments, have been regularly taking stock of the prevailing situation in the education sector and taken prompt action to address different issues.

He said Kalyani University had worked in accordance with the CBCS (choice-based-credit-system) model laid down by the UGC and worked towards integrating the UG and PG system.

Speaking about technological impact in our lives, Mukherjee said, "India has made rapid strides in technological development in past decades."