Mysore/Mysuru: A five-day National-level Faculty Development Programme on ‘Data Analysis using SPSS and AMOS,’ organised by the Department of Studies and Research in Commerce, Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) was inaugurated by Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University Vice-Chancellor of Prof. Nagesh V. Bettakote at Kaveri Auditorium in KSOU premises in city this morning.

Speaking after inaugurating the Faculty Development Programme, Prof. Bettakote said that for the development of any country, it is essential to give importance to higher education and research. “A programme like this will benefit research enthusiasts. At present, it has become a challenge to achieve progress in the field of education and hence there is a need to give more importance to higher education in the country,” he added.

Stating that the grants that are being given by the present Governments were not satisfactory, the Music Varsity Vice-Chancellor said that experts are of the opinion that unless priority is given by the Governments to higher education and research, no nation can progress.  “Basic infrastructure, technology and financial grants by Governments are very essential to promote higher education and research. Our country is famous for value-based education since ages and we had great Universities in our country thousands of years ago. But of late, one feels that we are engaged only in formulating education policies and rules. If our Governments introspect about the financial grants given to education and the number of students pursuing higher education and research in the country, they will realise that much more has to be done in the field of higher education,” Prof. Bettakote added.

Continuing, he said that there is a University in every district but the lack of basic infrastructure is glaring at all these Universities. “Teaching faculty is facing issues with their salaries and the Government must give its attention to all these issues as nothing can be achieved without basic amenities,” he said and added that KSOU has come out of its bad time under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sharnappa V. Halse and is gaining popularity apart from earning a good name.

Registrar Prof. K.L.N. Murthy, Dean (Academic) Prof N. Lakshmi, Chairperson and Programme Director, Department of Studies and Research in Commerce Dr. C. Usha, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. K.B. Praveena, Finance Officer A. Khadar Pasha and others were present on the occasion.