Mysore/Mysuru: Prof. P. Nagabhushan, Vice-Chancellor of Vignan University, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, observed that the purpose of education should not only be for getting jobs, but also for acquiring useful knowledge.

He was speaking after inaugurating the University of Mysore (UoM) Foundation Day                   celebration at Crawford Hall here on Thursday.

Stating that at present, education means only to get degrees, jobs and earn money, Prof.Nagabhushan maintained that in the race for earning money, students seem to have lost the quest for knowledge. Regretting that Colleges too are focusing much on Placement Cells these days, he argued that the country needs a knowledge and morality-based education rather than economics-centric education.

Though employment is a need for livelihood, teachers and parents should not develop a mindset among students that getting education is only for finding a job. At the same time, parents should not force their interests on their wards, he said adding that it is important for parents and teachers to understand what the interest of the student is and allow them to excel in the subject or field of their choice.

Continuing, he said that the current exam system has many lapses. Noting that a student’s intelligence and talent should not be measured only by exam, he opined that exam system should be simpler.

Pointing out that under the National Education Policy (NEP), the Government has allowed autonomy for Universities, he called upon those in high positions to make best use of it.

UoM Registrar V.R. Shylaja said currently the UoM has 85 Graduate and more than 180 Post-Graduate courses. Stating that the University is ranked 45th in the country in  NIRF ranking, she said that the University is giving prominence to Research Studies with the establishment of more than 15 Study Chairs.

UoM Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. K.M. Mahadevan, Finance Officer Sangeetha Gajanan Bhat and others were present.

Perhaps for the first time, the Foundation Day celebration was held in the absence of a regular or acting University Vice-Chancellor. The appointment of Prof. N.K. Loknath as the VC is now in the High Court, which has granted a stay to his appointment. The Government has not appointed an acting VC either.