PUNE, Feb 10: The concluding ceremony of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of University of Pune today witnessed a virtual outburst by Chancellor P C Alexander who came down heavily on the State Government for its failure to initiate autonomy in higher education. He also recommended a system of differential rate of fees."At no time in the history of higher education has there been so much centralisation as we see today," remarked Alexander adding that efforts at decentralisation were opposed at every stage.He said barring the economically weaker section, others who can afford should be charged what they should pay."I have almost lost my breath shouting for autonomy for colleges," said Alexander in his strong commentary which stunned Chief Minister Narayan Rane and Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde sharing the dais with him.Alexander said while foreign universities were introducing revolutionary concepts in mainstream education, colleges here were still reeling under the highly rigid system. ``Colleges do not have their say in admissions, examinations, in what they want to teach and how they want to teach," he remarked. He described the present system as an anarchical arrangement. ``Colleges have been made into government offices," he said.The chancellor maintained that increase in institutions was not an achievement. What was needed was an increase in quality teachers."It is unfortunate that we have impressive structures of institutions but not qualified teachers who can achieve academic excellence along with inculcation of values among students,'' he said. Governments at the Centre and in the State did not seriously think about training centres which can produce qualified teachers to head these institutions, Alexander added.Earlier in the day, Alexander unveiled Chhatrapati Shivaji's statue near the varsity's entrance. At the main function, he gave away the Jeevan Sadhana Gaurav Puraskar to six personalities for their outstanding contribution to society. The awards, instituted this year by the varsity, were presented to veteran Gandhian Balasaheb Bharade, freedom fighter Govindbhai Shroff, Yogacharya B K S Iyengar, noted playwright Vasant Kanetkar, scientist H J Arnikar and Kathak dancer Rohini Bhate.Six former vice-chancellors, Vasant Gowariker, V G Bhide, B P Apte, Devdutt Dabholkar, Ram Takwale and Shridhar Gupte were also felicitated.Senior Congressman Sharad Pawar said information technology and genetic engineering should be the varsity's thrust areas.Rane praised the varsity for being selected for Vidya-Vahini network. He announced a grant of Rs one crore to the varsity for this purpose and assured the government's assistance.Munde and Higher and Technical Education Minister Datta Rane also spoke on the occasion. Vice-Chancellor Dr Arun Nigavekar gave an account of the varsity's progress.
