(a) whether the Government proposes to instruct the central universities to nurture
and develop `Lok Vidya`— traditional knowledge and skills—and prepare a directory of projects
and facilitate grassroots-level, innovators, innovation centres and research parks in the
central universities; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the mechanism to implement it?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) & (b): The Central Universities (CUs) are autonomous bodies established by the Acts
of Parliament and are governed by their respective Acts, Statutes and Ordinances. The CUs,
with the approval of their statutory authorities, decide all the academic matters to be
undertaken by them. In the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of CUs, held in February, 2013
in Rashtrapati Bhawan, a group of Vice-Chancellors recommended several short, medium and
long term measures to extend the reach of education through extension work in contiguous
areas. They include identification of cluster of affiliates; creating consortium of
stakeholders; developing specific strategies in an inclusive manner and incentivizing
these activities; nurturing and developing ‘Lok Vidya’ traditional knowledge and skills;
preparing a directory of innovators, projects and facilitating grassroot innovators;
establishing innovation centres and research parks; interacting closely with industry
for their participation in Research & Development, improving curriculum, training of
teachers and students; addressing grand challenges of the country, viz., drinking water,
sanitation, urban development, renewable energy and climate change; institutionalizing
the University’s support to local arts and culture etc.
As these recommendations emanated from the Vice-Chancellors of the CUs, they have
been forwarded to all the CUs for taking appropriate action in time. A small group of
Vice-Chancellors has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chairman, University
Grants Commission to monitor the implementation of these recommendations.