Universities should not be mere teaching shops: PM

Expressing concern over many universities in the country turning into "teaching shops", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday sought reversal of this trend and more focus on research-cum-teaching in the university system.

Katra (J&K): Expressing concern over many universities in the country turning into "teaching shops", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday sought reversal of this trend and more focus on research-cum-teaching in the university system. "It is a matter of some concern that over the years many universities have become teaching shops and degree-giving authorities. We must reverse this trend and revive the tradition of teaching and research in our university system," he said at the first convocation of Sri Mata Vaidhnodevi University in Katra.

Emphasising the need to revive the tradition of doing good research along with good teaching in universities, Singh said he was saying this as someone who has been a teacher.

"I have often said hat I have strayed into politics by accident but my preferred career was teaching," he said recalling that in the days he used to be a student and teacher, universities placed great emphasis on doing research along with teaching.

It was on this solid foundation of research-oriented teaching in universities that the country created the edifice of higher education in post-independent India, he said.

Noting that the government has given the highest priority to a quantum leap in higher education, he said there has been an unprecedented expansion in higher education in the UPA government's tenure. (PTI)

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