HRD ministry likely to consider MSU for Central university status

MSU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh said the university could easily be a “natural choice” to be upgraded as a Central university.
“We have a very good research output compared to some of the best universities in the country. We have established tie-ups with several leading universities abroad and our research, innovations and exchange programmes have improved considerably in recent times,” Singh said.

Chudasama also urged the Union HRD minister to grant the state government’s unique Indian Institute of Teacher Education (IITE) as “centrally-funded institution of excellence.” He also sought support from the Centre for research and innovation programmes being carried out by the state government. The minister also asked the Centre to revamp the policy of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) to improve the quality of elementary, secondary and higher education in the state.

The ministers asked Irani to revise the current norms of SSA and RMSA to make the central schemes more flexible so as to cater to and address specific requirements of the state government. They also requested that eight Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) be set up in different districts of Gujarat.

In addition, he sought Centre’s support to set up a multilaterally funded integrated quality improvement project which will support installation of biometric-based attendance system in schools, private-public partnership in the Gujarat Model Schools project, accreditation of schools, virtual class room initiative and creation of 30 lakh neo-literates in a time-bound manner.

The Gujarat Education Minister further sought help from the Union HRD Ministry for the Virtual Classroom pilot by allocating seven DTH channels and required technical and financial support. Chudasama also suggested that HRD ministry should revamp and redirect the Mid-Day Meal programme to improve the nutritional level of the students, with the focus on calorie and protein requirements, besides modernising kitchens in large primary schools.