Education–Amity VC Dr Sharma says nothing wrong in IoE status to Jio institute

By Divya K Sharma

August 12, 2018

Manesar(Haryana): Amity University Vice-Chancellor and eminent academician Dr Pritam Sharma on Sunday defended the controversial government decision to grant the status of Institute of Eminence(IoE) to reliance backed Jio institute, saying it was not necessary for the institute to be Pre existing to get this status as an institution can design for excellence.

Dr Sharma’s remarks come amid the controversy over the Jio institute finding its name in the list of six public and private universities getting the IoE tag. Besides Jio the other institutions are IIT-Delhi, IIT-Bombay, IISC Banglore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education and BITS Pilani.

Giving an example the Amity University VC pointed out that the the IIT’s and IISC they were designed for excellence from day one

“There should be a commitment to pursue research and innovation. The infrastructure of an institute should reflect that commitment. There is no reason to suspect the integrity of the government in its decision to grant IoE status to any institute. Today there is need that the status held by the premier institutes should be shared by other institutes so that they can also deliver new technology and innovation”, he said.

Giving yet another example he said the Taj Mahal was from day one designed as a monument of excellence and did not need the world to certify it like that later on.

Similarly the Tatas established the premier institute of science which were from the very conceptual level designed for excellence.

Now it is to be seen how Jio uses the massive resources at its command to structure its institute and it is hoped that it can do it, he said.

The country of one billion plus people like India needs more and more institutes which can promote high quality research and innovation to tackle its problems like poverty, degradation of natural resources and boost development.

Replying to a question on the state of higher education and unregulated entry of private players in the sector, Dr Sharma said private institutions can play a great role in the expansion of higher education but there was need of proper and strong regulatory framework to weed out insincere and profiteering entrants.

He regretted that the government was yet to come out with a new education policy which was badly needed for the country at this juncture.

The VC said sincerity of intent and purpose is very important and any change that is brought out in the system should have some purpose, just as mere change of the Planning Commission name to NITI Ayog will not make any difference unless the institution is restructured.

Answering another question he said his aim at the Amity University was to promote the creative talent among students, to facilitate quality research and innovation that can improve the lot of people–boost the form yields help state of the art manufacturing, advance medical sciences and create positive mindset to transform the face of the country.