Guwahati Jan 26 PTI Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday urged Gauhati University to lead a start-up and innovation movement in the state and assured the institute that it will get all support from the government Sarma inaugurated the platinum jubilee celebrations of the oldest university of the North-eastern region on its 75th foundation day programme Gauhati University is a sacred temple of higher learning This university was born out of the committed endeavours of Assamese people in the pursuit of higher education Even though many new institutions of higher learning have come up in the state this university still stands tall he added Stating that this is the right time for the university to lead a start-up and innovation movement in the state Sarma said there is never a shortage of capital in the state exchequer for innovative works He said that the state government will extend all support to it if an appropriate proposal in this direction is submitted The pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is a fundamental tenet of Indian civilization Today Indian civilization has reached a full-fledged stage of excellence through a relentless journey of knowledge and wisdom advancing along the path shown by Takshashila and Nalanda ancient Indian universities Sarma said He said that the creation of teachers or bureaucrats alone could not be the objective of a university The purpose of education should be to change the thinking and mentality of students Sarma said that Gauhati University is the heart of the educational renaissance in Northeast India and unlike other institutions of higher learning this varsity has many unique features This university came into existence as a result of the endless sacrifices and long movement of a large number of dedicated personalities The university has a remarkable history of creating rich human resources he added The chief minister formally inaugurated the Freshwater Ornamental Fish Brood Bank at the Aqua Culture and Biodiversity Centre at the university Established under the auspices of the National Fisheries Development Board Hyderabad and in collaboration with the Fisheries Department of the state government the centre specialises in the development of ornamental fish research and rearing skills for the benefit of the students of Zoology Department of the varsity PTI TR NN NN

New Delhi [India], October 28 (ANI): Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said that the era of strict segregation of subjects is over and called for adopting a multidisciplinary approach in higher education to produce well-rounded individuals and better research outcomes.

Panaji Oct 28 PTI Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said the era of strict segregation of subjects was over as he called for adopting a multidisciplinary approach in higher education to produce well skilled individuals and have better research outcomes He also emphasised the need to give equal importance to humanities in science and technology institutions After inaugurating the new campus of the Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye Government College of Arts and Commerce at Pernem in North Goa district Naidu said the exposure to arts and social sciences is known to increase creativity improve critical thinking and enhance communication skills among students These qualities are in high demand in the 21st-century economy where no sector of the economy works in solo he said addressing a gathering in the presence of Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Union Minister Shripad Naik and others The era of strict segregation of subjects is a thing of the past as the world today is increasingly adopting a multidisciplinary approach in higher education to produce well-rounded individuals and better research outcomes he said Stressing the need to produce world class researchers not just in sciences but also in social science languages and in the fields of commerce and economics Naidu praised the Goa government for setting up commerce and economics laboratories as well as language labs in several institutes of the state Recalling that the ancient India was home to several renowned institutions of advanced learning such as Nalanda Vikramshila and Takshashila he said the need is to regain the past glory and make India a leading nation in the field of education research and innovation We need to create the right ecosystem for research and innovation to thrive in our universities and higher education institutions he said and urged vice chancellors of universities and educationists to give the required thrust to research in tune with the objectives with the New Education Policy-2020 He praised the Goa government for its plans to set up the Goa State Research Foundation to promote research work in multidisciplinary projects The higher education prepares students for more meaningful and productive roles and plays an important role in improving the standards of living he said adding that quality higher education is invariably a hallmark of all developed economies Praising Goa for performing well in the field of higher education Naidu appreciated that the state had a Gross Enrollment Ratio GER in higher education for women at 30 per cent against the national average of 273 per cent Lauding the state for having a higher more female students than males in higher education he said This is a very good sign and must serve as an inspiration to other states Observing that nature must not be neglected in the quest for development Naidu said a butterfly and a garden are as important as the latest IT tools That is why I always advocate the need for students to spend half of their time in the classroom and the remaining half in a playground or in the lap of nature he said Naidu advised youth to avoid a sedentary lifestyle unhealthy dietary habits and consumption of harmful substances It is important to remain physically fit by undertaking regular exercises or yoga the vice president said He expressed happiness that the Pernem College has steadily progressed over the years and expressed hope that the expanded facilities at the institution will be beneficial for rural students from the area He also praised the college for its focus on sports for all-round development of the students and asked the faculty and students to always keep the bar high and strive for excellence PTI RPS GK GK