Shimla: Marking the 42nd Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh University, Chancellor Urmila Singh, who is also Governor of the state, asked the university to look at starting archaeology department as the state was rich in cultural heritage.
Speaking at the inaugural function, she said that there were employment opportunities in tourism sector and a course for tourist guides could be started.
The chancellor asked the university to prepare a Vision-2020 document on priority for achieving the targets in a planned manner. E
Education was important for the development of the nation and youth of every section irrespective of the social status should get an opportunity to pursue education for building a strong nation. Girls were being provided free education and seats had been reserved for single girl students in every department of the university, she said.
Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal who was present on the occasion said that the state was spending Rs 1.60 lakhs per student each year on those availing university education.
He said that where as the national budget was only allocating 4.86 % for education, the state was spending 18% of its annual budget on it.
Emphasizing on the need for becoming self dependent, the chief minister said that autonomy could be achieved through being self sufficient financially.
Defending the government about permitting private universities, Dhumal said that it was being done with the intent of providing quality professional education within the state.
He said that Himachal was the first state in the country to constitute a regulatory commission which would fix fees in these universities.
The regulatory authority had started functioning to safeguard the interest of students and save them from exploitation.
About new private universities he said that they would be opened in Bilaspur, Chamba, Mandi and Kullu districts.
Symbiosis University would be set up in Bilaspur district, he said.
Dr. Riad Kamel Abbas, Ambassador of Syrian Arab Republic in India, who was the Guest of Honour said that he hoped one day students from Syria would enroll at HPU and strengthen relations between the two countries.
Making a detailed presentation Vice-chancellor ADN Bajpai said that 149 students of the University had qualified NET this year.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
I beat my forehead and pull and tear my hair from the head when I hear a “Chancellor” of a university talking of churning out TOURIST GUIDES from the university. What next? We also need need helpers and cleaners for truck plying the state and “chancellor” may announce a course for them as well. The very vision enthralls me!