Sisodia bats for expansion of educational facilities to meet

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today pitched for expanding higher and technical education facilities to accommodate over 1.5 lakh students annually and asked institutions to start faculties in rented buildings, including schools and malls, to meet the shortfall.
"Each year 2.5 lakh students pass +2 exams out of whom only around 90,000 are admitted to various institutions of higher and technical educations in Delhi. Where do we accommodate the rest 1.5 lakh students is a big question," Sisodia said at the third foundation day function of Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women.
Stressing that expansion of higher and technical education is a "big need" of Delhi, he urged stakeholders to work for a "paradigm" shift in this regard.

Citing challenges of starting new courses, new buildings and recruitment, he assured these institutions that the government will not let them face problems of "funds and procedures".
"You fear of thinking big in terms of opening new courses, new buildings, recruitment. You may have your experiences of interacting with funds. But think big in terms of expanding educational facilities and leave the questions of funds and procedures to me," he said.
He said Delhi government's target is to arrange educational facilities for 1.5 lakh students for which "out of the box" measures will be needed.

"I am ready to extend the facilities. I am ready to offer government schools in the second shift for opening new faculties (of higher and technical courses)...All over Delhi there are private schools, vacant government school buildings that could be taken on rent. Take entire floors of malls which are lying vacant," the Deputy CM said.

A techno-business incubation centre at the university was inaugurated by Sisodia. He also unveiled a prototype of fuel efficient car, saw and took part in test drive of an all terrain vehicle and hybrid e-rickshaw, all designed and fabricated by girl students of the university.
He urged students to work on "utility oriented" ideas and try to think ahead of their times for success in their fields.
"The changes are fast-paced. Technological innovations are outdated in 6-7 years and so there is need to think at least 25 years ahead of your own times," he said.
Vice Chancellor Nupur Prakash and Education Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, teachers and a large number of students were present on the occasion.