Governor flags decline in rankings of Maharashtra universities at national level, ETEducation
Nagpur: Expressing concern over the drop in rankings of Maharashtra’s universities, Governor and Chancellor Acharya Devvrat on Tuesday directed vice-chancellors of all 24 non-agricultural universities to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 ‘with utmost sincerity’ and submit quarterly progress reports to Raj Bhavan.
Chairing his maiden virtual meeting with the VCs, Devvrat said universities must move beyond “merely producing degree-holders” and focus on skill-based education, entrepreneurship, and character development. “Universities should shape responsible citizens who will contribute to building Viksit Bharat by 2047,” he said.
The Governor noted that despite Maharashtra being an educationally advanced state, “the decline in university rankings amid growing competition is a matter of concern and needs immediate corrective measures.” He directed institutions to improve academic and administrative performance and work toward national-level excellence.
Emphasising holistic education, the chancellor urged universities to integrate the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), promote women’s empowerment through skill training, and ensure transparency and integrity in administration. He also called for active student participation in sports and physical activities. “If the youth do not play or channel their energy constructively, that energy will surely find a wrong outlet,” he warned, directing universities to maintain playgrounds and share participation data with Raj Bhavan.
Highlighting campus hygiene, Devvrat instructed VCs to personally inspect hostels and messes, ensuring they do not become ‘centres of addiction’. Drawing from his experience as Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, he said administrators must regularly engage with students and monitor cleanliness standards.
Calling teachers “role models for future generations,” Devvrat reminded them to remain disciplined, updated, and punctual. “Students today are observant—they notice how their teachers behave, how punctual they are, and how current their knowledge is,” he said.
The Governor further urged universities to strengthen alumni networks, track graduates’ career paths, and involve NSS and NCC volunteers in de-addiction and tree plantation campaigns. He concluded by announcing plans to personally visit several universities in the coming months to review the implementation of his directives.
# Key takeaways from the Governor’s address to VCs
– Univs must submit quarterly progress reports to Raj Bhavan detailing achievements and challenges.
– Introduce the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) to impart moral and ethical values.
– Focus on skill-based learning, especially for women students, to promote empowerment.
– Maintain clean and transparent administration with regular hostel and sanitation inspections.
– Promote sports participation and track student involvement.
– Strengthen ties with schools and alumni networks to boost enrolment and engagement.
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