Govt. Should Not Change Policies at IITs Frequently: CNR Rao

Speaking about the government’s decision to provide more autonomy to IITs and IIMs, CNR Rao, Bharat Ratna awardee scientist opposed the same and said that the government must provide funding to premier institutes like IIMs and IITs instead of asking them “to take care of themselves”. He mentioned that the government is an “enabling agency”, it should not “run” an institution and provide autonomy to the heads of these institutions.

He is of the opinion that the government must not “forsake” IITs and they should never forget that premier institutes are their prized brand. IITs must play a major role in the development of Indian science and technology. For this purpose, the government must give better funding, so that it is enough to maintain the quality of education.

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He indicated that the government is planning to direct IITs to take care of themselves and hence questioned that what the IITs must take care of? He exclaimed that the government is trying to sell all things and make money.

Citing the example of universities in the US, Rao emphasised that private doesn’t mean good and public doesn’t mean bad. The government has to realise that they have to fund the premier institutes. The responsibility of the government is to make sure that quality of IITs is maintained.

Speaking about the autonomy of premier institutes, he stated that the director and chairman must have more freedom and autonomy. He felt that the government could not run good institutions as it is only an ‘enabling agency’. If the government wants to double the students’ intake of premier institutes, it must develop the infrastructure and improve the quality of education.