Naidu expresses concern over global ranking of Indian varsities

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu expressed concerns today over the global ranking of Indian universities, saying that there are more than 800 varsities in the country but none of them figures in the top-ranked institutes.

Addressing an event here, the vice president said that merely expanding infrastructure with sleek-looking buildings will not make an institution excellent unless it imparts education of highest standards without compromising on quality.

He said education should not only prepare the country's youth to face challenges of a technologically-driven knowledge society, but also make them analyse critically and come out with innovative solutions to the problems people face.

Liberal and interdisciplinary education is must to get a holistic perspective of the increasingly knowledge-centric and interdependent world, Naidu said in an official statement released here.

He said education in silos will not prepare students for the future. Liberal education with focus on technology, skill development and entrepreneurship will serve the society well, the vice president added.

The vice president said students should be confident of "dreaming big" and exploring uncharted territories while remaining rooted to the country's culture, traditions, customs and history.

Naidu also advised students to never neglect their parents, mother tongue, motherland and native village. He said students should always believe in co-existing harmoniously with nature for a better future, he said.