Govt to better academic scenario

PATNA: Human resources development minister Brishen Patel has said that regularisation of sessions in the universities of Bihar and enforcing an academic calendar are the top priority of his government. He has said that once the academic sessions in the state are regularised, the migration of students to other states will automatically end. "Several universities outside the state will close down," he joked while addressing a seminar on "Changing educational atmosphere of Bihar" on Tuesday. The seminar was organised by Arcade Business College. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the government is sensitive towards students who want a better academic atmosphere in the state. "The government wants the students to remain in the state and pursue their studies," he said. Modi expressed the hope that the students of Bihar will achieve great heights in the career they choose to opt for. "But wherever you are or whatever you become, always remember your home state and its people," he advised the students. He said that institutions like Arcade Business College have their relevance. "Major institutes take in brilliant students. But it is this kind of institutes which give even average students a chance to develop their mental faculties," he said.

The pro-VC of Magadh University, Dr Ram Prawesh Sharma, stressed the need for holding examinations in time as it is essential for improving the academic atmosphere on the university campuses. Speaking about his university, he said the results of the 2005 batch for graduation are to be published soon and the examinations for the 2006 batch would be held within two months. On this occasion, ADG Abhayanand gave tips to students for success in life. He said there are very few jobs available in the government sector. "But even for the jobs in the private sector, you must make yourself professionally sound," he said. Former Magadh University VC Dr Abhimanyu Singh recalled his tenure in the university and said he had to face many problems of students' absenteeism, holding examinations in time and ensuring timely payment of salaries to teachers. Other speakers told the audience, comprising mostly students, it is not important for students to study in big cities and that people hailing from smaller cities are also making it big in their career. The director of the institute, Ashish Kumar, said the migration of students from the state has dropped under the new regime. He also emphasised the need to encourage private investment in the education sector in Bihar.