'Partner industry for job-ready graduates'

Requirement of competent and trained teachers stressed

It is important not only to revamp the courses in line with industry requirements but also to partner industry to ensure job-ready graduates, said minister of state (independent charge) for statistics and programme implementation and minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers, Srikant Kumar Jena.

He was speaking at the fourth graduates’ day address of JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science in the city on Monday.

With increasing education infrastructure in the country, there is simultaneous requirement of competent and trained teachers for providing quality education.

Furthermore, it is required to encourage the enrolment of students for higher education, especially in science stream, he said.

“The government at the centre and state are providing huge financial outlay for education, but this can only be a means to the end objective of quality education for all in the country,” he added.

Jena observed, “There is a need to expand the opportunities for higher education on one hand and sustain and improve quality on the other.”

 “The 11th five year plan aimed at realising a 15 per cent gross enrolment ratio by 2012 and to about 21 per cent by the end of 12th plan.

To realise this goal several measures including increase in number of universities, colleges, vocational and technical institutions have been contemplated,” he said.

Higher education in India has witnessed a quantum leap. Since independence, number of universities has increased from 20 to 500, number of colleges from 500 to about 21,000 and teachers from around 15,000 to six lakh.

 The enrolment of students has also increased from nearly one lakh to 135 lakh, he said.
“Yet, it is apparent that, the facilities available at present are not adequate to provide higher educational opportunities to a large number of aspirants in our country. Though a lot is being done, still enormous effort is required to attain educational standards on par with developed countries,” he added.

College toppers

MSW: Adithi P S, Manasa Gowda H P, Harsha P K,M Sc (Bio tech): Yashaswini M S, Priyadarshini K, Ramya S, M Sc (Bio chem): Suma Prabhu, Asha N R, Sowmya G V, M Sc (Comp Sc): Rekha G, Shwetha M C, Meenakshi H P,  BA: Anand S, Mahadeva S, Nagarjun N M, B Sc: Abhishek P, Nagaveni V G, Siddaraju J, B Com: Abhishek P, Nagaveni V G, Siddaraju J, BBM: Ganesh M V, Rajendra B R, Veena L, BCA: Abinaya S, Atyam Naga Dheeraj, Nayana N C and III BA: Mahesh M (highest marks scored in geography).