PANAJI
Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Monday called on Goa University to prepare a detailed road map focusing on its qualitative improvement and the all-round development of the society.
Addressing the 41st foundation day event of the Varsity, Arlekar urged the vice-chancellor to promote academics and research with the aim of developing their universities into “centres of excellence.” He suggested that the university actively consult local experts and intellectuals to shape this road map.
“The university has good infrastructure, but can it build an emotional attachment with the people and society?” he asked. “We need to expand to reach a larger section of society. Are our faculty members or executive council reaching out to understand what people want or what we have to offer?” he questioned further.
The Governor cautioned universities against limiting themselves to producing only “academicians, engineers or shipbuilders” tailored to industry needs, arguing that they must also respond to broader social and national goals. “Our whole curriculum has to be redefined in that direction”based on the needs of our society, state and nation. The university is here to guide society,” he said.
Arlekar also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for building a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India) by 2047, when the country completes 100 years of independence. “Viksit Bharat is a big dream”a big canvas that needs to be drawn beautifully. One cannot remain aloof from it. University syllabus and programmes should be aligned with this initiative,” he urged.
He further observed that before the introduction of the British education system, India reportedly had a literacy rate of 89 per cent, which fell sharply to 20 per cent by the time the British left. “The fault was not in our education system, but in the restrictions imposed by the British on education based on caste,” he said.
Arlekar highlighted that India’s education system should stay rooted in its cultural soil, and said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was the first serious attempt to decolonise the system. “Special efforts have been made to use new technology to reconnect with our roots and culture,” he said.
The Governor called on the university to reflect seriously on its mission and contribution to building an inclusive, culturally rooted, and developed India.
