Governor calls for universities to go ‘beyond academics’

At the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of Vice Chancellors hosted by Amity University Noida on Tuesday 24 June, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel called on higher education institutions to extend their responsibilities beyond academics and contribute actively to national development, writes Maria Khan for the Hindustan Times.

Addressing the gathering, Patel stressed that universities must engage in grassroots interventions, including primary and secondary education, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. “Universities across the world are doing well in their respective fields, but they should also take up challenges like curbing malnutrition and working on the lack of basic health services,” said Patel, adding that skills development is crucial, not just for students, but even for vice-chancellors.

She underlined the importance of empowering women, aiming for zero poverty, and stressed that academic memoranda of association must go beyond ceremonial gestures to enable real learning exchange.
Full report on the Hindustan Times site