Prez calls for qualitative higher education

Chennai, Dec 28: President Pranab Mukherjee calls for improvement in quality of higher education in the country in his address at SRM University in Chennai.

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday presided over the 8th Convocation of the SRM University, Chennai.

Addressing the students and faculty he said, "The private sector has played a key role in higher education in other countries across the world. Many top universities including Harvard, Yale and Stanford are the result of efforts of the private sector. There is no reason why Indian private sector cannot achieve similar results."

The President said universities must satisfy the cause of education and not just to look for their private profit.

"There is a clear view that higher education needs a systematic re-look, so that India can educate much larger numbers without diluting academic standards. The objectives of reform and change in our higher education system must be expansion, excellence and inclusion," he said.

He also stressed on the importance of skilled man power in the country's economic progress.

The President presented the degree to the students, at the Convocation on Friday.

The President also presented the Honorary degree (D. Sc) to Dr P.R. Goyal, an Eminent Physician, at the Convocation.

The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri K. Rosaiah also attended the convocation.