Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pic: Dayanand Kukkaje  

Mangalore, Feb 25: A workshop on 'Higher Education: Employability and Citizenship' was organized by the Mangalore University Syndicate at  Aim Insight College Senate hall here, on Sunday February 24.  

Delivering the keynote address Dr B A Vivek Rai, vice-chancellor of Karnataka State Open University declared that Indians have been suffering from a kind of amnesia with regard to indigenous knowledge, which is prevalent since ancient times. 

Dr Rai opined that a feeling of community development developed by our forefathers is missing today. Development today is largely individual-oriented. The country is losing its social quality, as people are striving to develop individuality, forgetting their social commitments. This trend is seen even in the educational sector, he lamented.  

Touching on the topic of rampant commercialization in education sector, Rai said that profit-oriented ducation system is on the rise. Investments are being made in those courses which offer high returns. According to him the major cause for shortcomings in the educational system is due to the 'prominence of money, which rules the present Indian education sector.'

He stressed on the need for an unconventional education system to make students more committed towards society. 'The nation has enough manpower, which can help achieve success individually. But people lack coordination. This hampers the development of nation,' he pointed out. 

Moreover, he advised students that there are a lot of avenues open for them. 'One should have knowledge on diverse subjects which will help him to work in various fields. One should search for employment,' he said and implored students to develop community feelings.  

MU political science department head Prof P L Dharma was the resource person. University syndicate member P V Mohan was present on the occasion.