20 world class varsities: Will govt move quickly on decision?

Prime minister Modi also says that his government has asked 20 universities to decide their own destiny

New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address on Tuesday from the Red Fort had important messages for the education sector.

The government is willing to provide funds up to Rs 1,000 crore for education, PM Modi has said. (Hindustan Times)

Reiterating his government’s plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore to transform 20 universities into “world class” educational institutions, Modi said the government had taken an important step “to grant the universities freedom from restrictions to make them world class universities”.

“We have asked 20 universities to decide their own destiny. The government will not interfere in their functioning. Besides, the government is willing to provide funds up to Rs 1,000 crore,” Modi said.

“We have appealed to them and I am confident that the education institutions of our country will certainly come forward and make it a success.”

He added that the government had set up six IITs, seven new IIMs and eight new IIITs over the last three years.

“We have also done the groundwork for linking education with job opportunities,” he said.