Prof Yash Pal for autonomy to varsities

"It's high time the universities of the country be made autonomous. They are facing various hurdles due to outside interference. For remedial measures including academic improvement, employment and promotional matters, they should be given autonomy", he told the convocation of VSS University at Burla near here.

Pal, a former chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), said a degree helped a student progress in life and at the same time acquire knowledge for uplift of the country.

Though the country was making great strides in the field of science and technology, lack of relationship between various fields was creating problem and universities should come forward to work on it, he said.

Entry of women in the field of science and technology, was a matter of satisfaction, he said. Orissa governor and chancellor of universities in the state M C Bhandare also spoke on the occasion.