Education should not be commercialised, says Prof Hegde

Manipal University former VC Dr B M Hegde said obtaining a degree is not an achievement and along with the degree, if the person can inculcate humanitarian values, such as obedience and politeness among others, the degree will have a meaning.

Speaking after inaugurating Karnataka State -level conference on autonomous colleges’ issues, prospects and challenges at Mangalore University on Friday, Prof Hegde said the teachers should update their knowledge. They should inculcate humanitarian values in their students,he observed.

“The institutes of higher education in India have not made much progress. One can imagine the quality of education wherein students attend tutorials after the college hours. In developed countries like America, more than 90 per cent universities are private universities. The industries there have entered into tie ups with the educational institutions. Education should not be commercialised,” he added.

Bharathidasan University retired VC Prof C Thangamuthu said, “Tamil Nadu has highest number of autonomous colleges, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The autonomous colleges will reduce the burden on universities”. Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof K Byrappa, Registrar Prof T D Kemparaju and others were present.