Chennai, August 24
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore has thanked Chief Minister Vijay for backing reforms in the State’s higher education sector, saying the financial measures could strengthen universities and colleges.
In a post on X, Tagore said Tamil Nadu must fulfil the vision of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, known as Perunthalaivar, and restore its higher education system. Rebuilding the sector had become an urgent necessity, he added.
The Congress leader said universities were struggling with structural and financial problems. Much of their funding was being used to meet administrative and recurring expenses, leaving limited resources for academic development, research and infrastructure.
Universities had also suffered revenue losses from distance education programmes, while the freezing of University Grants Commission funds and the depletion of institutional reserves had added to their financial difficulties, Tagore said.
He called for comprehensive reforms to address these challenges. Corruption within the higher education system must be eliminated, while efforts by right-wing and RSS-linked forces to increase their influence on campuses should be resisted, he said.
Tagore added that universities must be rejuvenated, professors empowered and students given access to education that meets global standards.
He congratulated Higher Education Minister Viswanathan on presenting the department’s demand for grants in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister Vijay for extending support and guidance to constructive initiatives in the sector.
Tagore said the financial proposals could become a historic roadmap for reviving more than 2,150 higher education institutions and over 60 universities in Tamil Nadu.
He also urged the government to raise the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education beyond the 50 per cent milestone. Expanding access, strengthening institutions and improving academic quality would help Tamil Nadu retain its position as one of India’s leading higher education centres, he said.
