Date:07/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/07/stories/2002120700021003.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Foreign universities

Sir,— I am happy to note the chairman of the UGC, Arun Nigvekar, has recently expressed his concerns about the coming of foreign institutions.

In fact, it is time we sat back and seriously looked at our higher education scenario.

We need to identify our areas of strengths and weaknesses. Living in an utopia that we are pretty good in IT sector may only lead us on to a lopsided development, both in human resources and in economy.

There is a need to radically change our curricula and introduce new subjects such as alternative medicine, yoga, philosophy, Vedic mathematics, peace and non-violence, India's perspectives on global issues.

Hitherto neglected areas such as environment, traditional crafts and music must be strengthened which may attract a number of students and scholars from abroad.

V.Shivkumar,

Goa