HRD to Launch Interface to Resolve Woes in Educational Sector: Irani

PUNE: Resolving to work to link the country's graduates with employment, Union HRD minister Smriti Irani today said her ministry would soon open an online and personal interface programme comprising academicians to tackle problems faced by premier institutions and students' bodies.

Speaking at a students' gathering at Symbiosis Institute at Lavale, near here, Irani said, "This (interface programme of the Human Resources Development ministry) will not comprise bureaucrats or politicians, but academicians and some of the best institutions." 

Stating that academic growth will be assisted by enhanced funding, Irani said, "They (experts) can tell us how we can de-regulate problems faced by some of the premier institutions of our country and how our students' bodies can work more effectively with an improved contribution of alumni." 

Underscoring the problem of unemployment, she said that only half of the three million graduates who pass out annually are found employable, adding that her ministry is committed to make a difference by increasing employment opportunities.

Striking a confident note, the HRD minister said she was looking at the situation through a "prism of possibility".

Irani said she would strive to make India an educational hub where foreign students would be welcome.