Universities should foster job creators, not seekers: Guv

Kochi: Governor Rajendra Arlekar called for transforming India’s higher education landscape and said universities must evolve into hubs that cultivate “job givers rather than job seekers.

” Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Hall on Friday, the governor urged industrial bodies to actively partner with educational institutions to drive skill development and entrepreneurship.Setting up of entrepreneurship development cells in all universities is vital for achieving the ambitious ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ goal, he said. However, he cautioned that Indian entrepreneurship must remain distinct from Western models.

Rather than focusing solely on raw profit, Indian businesses should embrace generating profit rooted in righteousness and ethics.Arlekar also noted that the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) provides the perfect framework for this transition, offering students multidisciplinary options and robust, skill-based learning to foster self-sufficiency.Beyond education, Arlekar shared his commitment to sustainability, recalling his initiative that made the Goa assembly paperless - saving 1,298 trees during a single 10-day session. He revealed that he has recommended a similar digital, paperless transition for the Kerala assembly, mirroring systems being adopted by the new Indian Parliament.The event concluded with a collective call for systemic synergy between academia and industry to shape a self-reliant India.