Varsities can survive only if they effectively face challenges: OU V-C

Osmania University: Osmania University Vice-Chancellor Prof S Ramachandram observed on Wednesday that government universities could survive only if they effectively face challenges.

Inaugurating a two-day seminar in OU Sociology department on ‘Higher education—current opportunities, challenges’ at PGRCDE centenary conference hall, he called upon researchers to carry out their work which would be useful for society and that varsities should become centres of new research findings.

The VC stated that higher education was facing a crisis and that there was a need for a debate across the country by the stake-holders. He called for increased effectiveness in the teaching-learning process. Prof Ramachandram said private universities were posing a challenge and hence there was a need for giving a thought to increasing quality standards.

He stated that as those below 25 years constituted 50 per cent of the population creating employment opportunities for them would result in the country’s development. ‘There is also a need to prepare those who can create jobs’. Seminar director and Sociology department head Prof C Ganesh explained the objectives of the seminar.

Principal of Arts College Prof D Ravinder presided. OU Social Sciences Dean Prof Yogajyotsna called for introduction of new courses and digital classrooms in varsities. Among those present were OU Sociology BOS chairman Dr Beena Veni Ram Chafford, Prof Izaz-ur-Rahman, Prof T Sridhar, Dr Ch Parandhamulu, Dr B Someshwar. Professors and research scholars from across the country participated.