President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said Indian universities should adopt an effective strategy to achieve higher rankings in the list of best global institutions."Though in ancient India, there were globally-famed seats of learning like Nalanda, Takshashila and others, the scenario today is starkly different. Our institutions lag in international rankings brought out by reputed agencies. Few of our leading institutions deserve a better position though. They need to adopt an effective strategy to project their achievements," Mukherjee said at the 12th convocation of Tezpur University in Assam.
Mukherjee said only change can lead to progress."Faculty shortage has to be mitigated through expeditious recruitment of talented scholars. Faculty development need to be promoted through regular conduct of faculty recharge programmes and teaching as a career needs to be made appealing."Also the industry engaged through institutional mechanisms needs to be incorporated to train students," he said."Each central university ought to set up an Industry Interface Cell, comprising representatives of the local industry, industry associations, alumni and faculty.
"The cell would draw up a calendar towards various collaborative activities like joint research, faculty exchange, and sponsoring of chairs and endowments. Success of initiatives like 'Make in India' hinges on manufacturing quality industrial products where academia-industry interface would play a very crucial role," he said.Emphasising on research work, Mukherjee said that as a developing nation, Indian universities have to search for solutions to issues like renewable energy, climate changes, drinking water, sanitation and urbanisation."Our universities have to be the breeding ground for creative quests and cutting-edge technological developments. They have to encourage their students to satiate their curiosity and chase their creativity. They have to imbibe in these young minds a scientific temperament and a spirit of inquiry," he said.