AP to set up education clusters
Hyderabad, June 30 (INN): The Government of Andhra Pradesh is planning to have a cluster-based approach to higher education where universities will be situated in proximity to industry sector they cater to.
In a review meeting on Knowledge Mission today at Secretariat, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was informed by members of the Knowledge Advisory Group that creating education clusters in Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati that will build a favorable ecosystem for students.
These clusters will house new universities which will bring new ideas into the system. The ecosystem must have housing for faculty and students, giving space for supporting infrastructure. 'For instance: A University on Ocean Technology could be situation close to Visakhapatnam rather than being in Tirupati,' an expert reiterated.
'We should go a step further and ensure that a university eventually evolves into a growth engine thriving with economic activity,' the Chief Minister explained.
This meticulous planning requires creating a tier-based education system that includes global program for faculty. 'We should create space for faculty from across the globe to be willing to teach in Andhra Pradesh,' said another expert from the Group.
Convocations, vacations and several other activities will eventually be planned around the University system once we begin making convocations as grand affairs. 'The presence of family in the University on the Convocation Day, family vacation in the same place, going for dinners, shopping, etc build economic activity,' the Chief Minister explained.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the government is focussing on restructuring curriculum and courses based on the demand. 'We need to analyse the demand for courses and the jobs opportunities they offer, rather than provide courses without any demand,' the Chief Minister added.
Experts also underlined the need for standardized regulatory set up and the need to push boundaries in introducing innovative practices in education.
Ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao and P. Narayana, Special Chief Secretary S.P. Tucker, Principal Secretary to CM Satish Chandra, Higher Education Secretary Sumita Dawra and Commisioner Udaya Lakshmi, chairman of APSCHE Venugopal Reddy were present.
News Posted: 30 June, 2015
|
.gif)
