Prez calls for robust education system

Innovative ideas are needed to steer country's educational institutions from muddy waters of mediocrity, President Pranab Mukherjee said here today.
He said India has to be one of the front ranking nations in the world and the way ahead is only through a robust education system.
"Transformative ideas are required to steer our educational institutions from the muddy waters of mediocrity.
"Governance structures have to be supportive of innovative ideas and also facilitative of faster decision-making," the President said, during an event to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee at Town Hall here.
He said the expertise and experience of the alumni, who are well-established, can be utilised for effective university management.

"Studies have shown how alumni participation in university governance improves academic performance. Our universities, especially the older ones, should make a definitive move towards engaging alumni in their activities," the President said.

"Education has afforded them the ability to overcome resource constraints and build an economy on a high technological base.
"If India has to be one of the front ranking nations in the world, the way ahead is only through a robust education system," he said.
Mukherjee said the country must transform universities into world class institutions.