“The government is drawing a policy for the uplift of higher education. It will focus on enhancing the quality, addressing the issues of equity, access and strengthening the administration and efficiency,” said Education Minister Abdu Rabb in his inaugural address at the sectoral session on ‘Knowledge and Education’ at the ‘Emerging Kerala’ meet here on Friday.
The industry-institution linkage, integrated courses and research will be given priority.
“We have identified 10 projects which will be undertaken on the public-private-partnership mode,” he said. K M Abraham, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, said that the state is on the threshold of launching crucial policy reforms which will pave the way for more private participation as per the four models suggested by the UGC.
Gopinath Pillai, Ambassador-at-large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, said that education in Singapore is designed to tap the maximum potential of the students. Education is based on meritocracy, tolerance, family values and respect for elders, he said.
There is a screening to mould the talented students, and the others are guided to channel their interests in vocational and technical education. The employers prefer expertise and through the training the students gain more experience.
Jancy James, Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Kerala, said that the curriculum has to be updated and the faculty strengthened. Communication skills have to be strengthened besides offering hands-on training and counselling to help the students choose the right stream.