Hyderabad, April 23 (RAHNUMA): Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Thursday urged Vice-Chancellors of universities in the State to accord special emphasis to skill development of students and continuous academic improvement.
The Governor chaired a meeting with Vice-Chancellors of State universities and higher education officials at Lok Bhavan. During the meeting, Chairman of the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE), Prof. V. Balakista Reddy, briefed the Governor on the reforms implemented in higher education over the past year, including introduction of new courses, promotion of research, and initiatives aimed at skill development.
Vice-Chancellors, in turn, outlined the innovative programmes being implemented in their respective universities, measures taken to ensure transparency in admissions, reforms undertaken, and the challenges being faced.
Addressing the Vice-Chancellors, the Governor appreciated the efforts of universities such as Osmania University, Kakatiya University, and JNTU. He said universities should not remain institutions that merely confer degrees, but evolve into centres that enhance employability and offer education aligned with global standards. He stressed the need for appointing quality faculty, strengthening training, and ensuring continuous academic development.
The Governor also called for closer coordination with industry to promote, research, innovation, and practical solutions.
Emphasising skill development and employment-oriented education, he urged universities to prioritise implementation of the National Education Policy and initiatives aimed at making youth self-reliant. He expressed the hope that universities in Telangana would perform well and secure top positions in national rankings.
Shiv Pratap Shukla noted that initiatives such as ‘Startup India’, ‘Skill India’, and ‘Digital India’ launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi were contributing to youth empowerment.
He also observed that schemes such as the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan and the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship were providing fresh impetus to higher education. The Governor remarked that Indian universities were on par with foreign institutions, pointing out that engineers and doctors educated in the country had earned global recognition.
Describing Vice-Chancellors as visionary leaders shaping the future of students, the Governor called upon them to work collectively with dedication to make Telangana a leader in education, research, and innovation.
Later, the Governor released the book titled from Vision to Impact: TGCHE’s Recent Higher Education Reforms”, highlighting recent academic reforms introduced by the State Council of Higher Education.
