Hyderabad is seeing a shift in the role of state universities, raising questions about their relevance to society and students. A former member of the Telangana Higher Education Council shared with The Hans India that state universities began losing importance about twenty years ago. Since then, neither political leaders nor government officials have focused on improving higher education. This lack of vision is causing universities to lose their value.
Drawing from 40 years of experience in education, the expert noted that except for science and technology, most university courses are outdated. The teaching methods do not meet current societal needs, and the degrees often don’t help students gain confidence or find good jobs.
Agreeing with this view, a former Osmania University professor and ex-vice chancellor highlighted that higher education is at a crucial turning point. Teaching subjects like political science and history as standalone courses is becoming obsolete. Real-world events, such as the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, show the need for an integrated approach in subjects like economics, politics, and governance.
During a visit to Cornell University in the USA, it was surprising to find records of the old Andhra Patrika Telugu Newspaper. At universities like Cornell, students and researchers engage in serious research and teaching. Universities become centers of intellectual growth, attracting funding from various sources, including government and industry.
In India, central and private universities are developing focused study programs akin to international institutions. However, state universities lag behind, sticking to outdated practices, which diminishes their credibility.
Introducing a School of Telangana Studies could explore the political, economic, and cultural aspects of the region. Such initiatives could help the state government make informed policy decisions based on thorough research. Despite the potential benefits, political leaders and bureaucrats have not taken steps to support and enhance state universities, leaving them to face ongoing challenges.
