DEHRADUN: In what may give some boost to the education of the girl child in the state, Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul on Monday directed that higher education for girls belonging to underprivileged families of remote hill areas is ensured from the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of private universities in the state.
It is learnt that these directions were given by the Governor at Raj Bhawan during the meeting where the Governor sought detailed information regarding the action taken to resolve the various pending issues related to state universities which is when, he directed the additional chief secretary, S Ramaswamy about this development and also to ensure that these girl students are provided residential (hostel) facilities from the CSR fund.
Speaking about the reason behind taking such initiative, Paul said, “So many private universities are coming up in the state and it is imperative they contribute and give back to the society. If these girls get a chance for higher education from the CSR funds, it will change their lives. I am sure the initiative will bring in some positive changes for spreading education among girl students of the state. Education certainly empowers a person and we intend to empower our girls”
It is learnt that directions were also given by Governor to ensure special financial arrangement for research and other special areas in universities.
Governor stated that hostel facilities should be made available on a priority basis at the Horticulture and Forestry University, Bharsar (Pauri) as students would take admission in the university only when residential facility was available in this remote area.
In a bid to bring about qualitative improvement in higher education in the state and create an excellent academic atmosphere, the Governor has been holding three-monthly meetings since 2015 with VCs of all state universities.
The various issues of concern discussed in these meetings include the strengthening of basic infrastructure in the universities, efforts to improve/upgrade the existing systems and the hurdles in implementation of directives to develop the universities on the lines of national and international universities. The final directions are then given on the basis of the important decisions taken by the Governor.
It is learnt that the next meeting of the state university VC’s with the Governor is proposed in August. Meanwhile, officials from private universities cited that they are yet to receive such order but surely this would be a great initiative and most would like to get involved and help the girls from underprivileged families get a chance of higher education.
Times of India
