THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The renovated senate chamber of the Kerala University which hosted its jubilee celebrations on Friday turned out to be a confession floor as Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his colleagues agreed in clear words how the higher education sector in the state leaves a lot to be desired.After a day’s battle in the Assembly with the Opposition over the self-financing college issue, it was quite natural of Chandy to remark that it’s time for a change, through consensus and cooperation. It should be taken up as a challenge and healthy progress made in the field, he said. Being an alumnus of the Kerala University and one who has seen its better days, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said he was glad to be part of its 75th year celebrations too.Education Minister P K Abdu Rabb minced no words to come out against the existing academic situation in Universities. “Neither admissions nor examinations are in order. There are Universities which have not published exam results for over a year now. There should be efforts to streamline the functioning of Universities and this being a time for celebration must be used for introspection too,” the Minister said. Syndicate member P S Sreekala presented the plan report of the University for its 75th year. She said that University plans to give due importance to academic and infrastructure development. As many as 75 books will be brought out during the platinum year. Seminars, workshops and talks will be organised and also Science Exhibition. Hostel facilities will be improved, water supply and electricity ensured in all campuses, rain-water harvesting and bio-gas plants will be set up at Kariavattom campus and so on. Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, head of the erstwhile Travancore royal family, felicitated four former Vice-Chancellors - Dr J V Vilanilam, Dr B Ikbal, Dr G Balamohanan Thampi and Dr M K Ramachandran Nair - at the occasion.
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