North Zone Vice-Chancellors’ Conference begins in Doon
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 5 Nov: The Governor, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), inaugurated the North Zone Vice-Chancellors’ Conference at the Graphic Era Institute of Medical Sciences, here, on Tuesday. This two-day conference, organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), is being attended by over 100 Vice-Chancellors from universities across North India, with several Vice-Chancellors also joining virtually.
Addressing the inaugural session, the Governor stated that higher education is undergoing a remarkable transformation in today’s era. “With the rapid pace of global changes, technology is reshaping the way we live, work, and learn,” he pointed out. He emphasized the need for educational institutions to evolve in order to adapt to these changes.
Lt Gen Singh further highlighted that, in this crucial period of transformation, technological integration plays a vital role in shaping the future of higher education. He stressed that now is the right time to integrate technological innovations into the higher education system to build a progressive society based on knowledge, research, and innovation, to face future challenges effectively.
The Governor pointed out that the youth of today require practical skills and experience to complement their knowledge acquisition. Technological integration, he explained, is not just about using digital tools but enriching students’ learning experiences. He urged universities to make full use of technologies like online education, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing, all of which are essential in the current context.
He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that technological integration is not limited to urban areas but is accessible to students in rural and remote regions as well, in order to bridge the digital divide and provide equal access to technological resources. He urged the Vice-Chancellors to equip the younger generation with the necessary skills and technology to advance in the 21st century. He underscored that universities play a crucial role in achieving the goal of a developed India.
Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, Minister of Higher Education and Health, welcomed all the Vice-Chancellors to the state of Uttarakhand. He lauded the efforts of AIU in promoting the quality of higher education, noting its century-old legacy. Dr Rawat also stated that it is essential for universities to embrace innovation and continuously improve their rankings. He mentioned that efforts are underway to form an official body for all universities in the state to share best practices and enhance coordination.
The conference was also addressed by Prof Kamal Ghanshala, President of Graphic Era Group of Institutions, Prof Vinay Kumar Pathak, President of AIU and Vice-Chancellor of CSJM University, Kanpur, and Dr Pankaj Mittal, General Secretary of AIU. Additionally, Dr Narpinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Graphic Era Deemed University, former AIU President Dr GD Sharma, and Prof Durgesh Pant, Director General of UCOST, were present at the event.
