Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today urged the University Grants Commission and other stakeholders to urgently consider ways and means to improve the quality of education in the country. Speaking at the Diamond Jubilee function of the UGC, Dr. Singh pointed out that it is a major concern that even premier institutions in India do not figure among the best in the world and quality in general remains a huge concern in the higher education sector.

The Prime Minister urged for evolving innovative methods of resolving issues of quality of education and shortage of faculty. Dr. Singh said, interdisciplinary perspectives are the cornerstone of the present-day research should take firm roots in the culture of our universities. Pointing out that greater funding support from industry will assist in greater research outcome, Dr. Singh asked the UGC to undertake a study on how the University-Industry interface works in other countries to adopt international best practices.

Terming shortage of faculty a major concern, the Prime Minister urged for addressing the issue urgently. He said, the government is committed to continue its efforts to strengthen higher education in the coming years. Dr. Singh also stressed on skill development to improve employability of educated youth and to meet the growing demand of skilled force at the job market.