UGC chairman expresses concern over 'low' enrolment in agri

University Grants Commission Chairman Dr Ved Prakash today expressed concern over the "low" enrolment of students in agriculture subject and stressed upon the need to revisit the existing curriculum.
He said there has been an increase in the number of universities, colleges and students' enrolment in India but low admission in agriculture studies is a matter of "huge concern".
"There is a need to revisit the existing curriculum and see whether it is providing analytical information, creating new knowledge and producing talented workforce," he said while addressing annual convocation of the Punjab Agricultural University here.
Referring to research intensive universities Prakash said, "Such varsities have to be international universities. They have to be elite and cannot run on strings of tuition fee. They require huge investments and need to learn the art of mobilising the resources from different quarters."

Modern society cannot live without research universities, he observed.
While congratulating the students, he urged them to update their competence for relevance in modern world.

"It is also essential to engage ourselves in historical and contemporary issues," he said.
"Punjab Agricultural University has produced outstanding scientists who have left behind a rich legacy which is to be preserved as well as expanded. PAU has done excellent work and brought laurels to the entire academic fraternity," he said.
Punjab and Haryana governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, who is also the Chancellor of the University, presided over the convocation.
During the convocation, a total of 393 Ph.D, M.Sc, M.Tech, MCA, MBA, MBA (agri-business) and MJMC (Journalism and Mass Communication) students received degrees.

Besides, 14 students were awarded medals and gold medals, and several other students received merit certificates.