President of India Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday that is important for Indian universities to be globally comparable to ensure Indian students got better opportunities world over.

Murmu inaugurated the St Joseph’s University (formerly St Joseph’s College, Autonomous, estb: 1882) in Bengaluru. She said that many students looked to India for higher education and research and that it was pertinent for the country to deliver.

“Many Indian institutes have earned a place in international rankings also. But the numbers are very few. It should be the aim of all Indian educational institutions to become world class centers of learning. I am sure that if we take the right steps now, our country will emerge as a knowledge superpower,” she said.   

She said that Indian universities must play the role of change agents in changing times and that it is the responsibility of educational institutions to train students in such a way that they are prepared for the demand of the future.

“In short, students must be made future ready. Today’s young people are aspirational. Our university needs to respond to their diverse aspirations. For this, out-of-the-book thinking is needed. Such thinking will enrich learning experiences and bring about creative solutions. NEP 2020 which is being implemented is one such effort to make education aligned with the changing needs,” Murmu added.

The president, who has served as a teacher previously said that education must be more about critical thinking and less rote learning. “The approach of working and studying in silos will no longer be effective. Multidisciplinary approach needed to fulfill emerging demands. In addition to science, technology and mathematics, a well-rounded curriculum should also include arts and crafts, even sports and fitness, language, literature and culture,” she explained.  

Speaking about the varsity, she said that St Joseph’s University has a good reputation by setting high academic standards and contributing significantly to co-curricular activities too.

Meanwhile, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai who was present said that “The college which has been in existence for over a century has stood the test of time. It has been part of the growth of Karnataka. It has excelled in all fields. Contribution of this university will be remembered for centuries to come.

“There was a time when a man had a large expanse of land. That’s why Alexander the Great is exploring the world. Then there was a time when businessmen and capitalists ruled the world. But 21^st century is not the time for money and land. It is for knowledge. There was a time when everyone came to Delhi. But now they come to Bengaluru. They don’t come to Vidhana Soudha. They go to Infosys and Wipro campuses. There is a paradigm shift of the layers of power and knowledge is a powerful tool,” he said.  

Also read: Karnataka: Dr Victor Lobo appointed VC of St Joseph’s University