Assam lines up varsities A STAFF REPORTER Telegraph India Guwahati, April 19: Chief minister Tarun Gogoi today declared 2007 as the "year of education" in Assam.
A university of juridical science on the lines of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Science in Calcutta and another one on science and technology will be set up in the state, he said. No site has been chosen yet for the universities, which will be joint private-public ventures. During his visit to Calcutta to woo investors, Gogoi met Ashok Aikat of the Sonodyne group and the industrialist reportedly showed a keen interest in arranging for adequate infrastructure to provide vocational training to youths in Assam. Gogoi told the media at the state secretariat that even Manipal University had shown eagerness to set up a branch in the state. Apart from development of the education sector, the state will witness hectic economic activity this year, Gogoi promised. "The state's economy is in good shape and we are focusing on more development. You will see development at a much faster pace than before," the chief minister said. He met representatives of at least 20 corporate houses during his trip to Calcutta. Harping on "balanced development", Gogoi said the government was planning to set up a "village development authority" modelled on the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority. The main objective is to ensure planned growth of rural areas. "Today's villages will be tomorrow's towns; so we want to plan it from now on so that there is no haphazard growth, - Gogoi said. Gauhati University vice-chancellor Amarjyoti Choudhury was not exactly enthusiastic in his reaction to the chief minister's plans for education. He said the government must first improve the state of affairs at existing universities. "Gauhati University is short of funds. Being the vice-chancellor, I am ashamed to say that we have not been able to provide quality infrastructure to students. If the government does not pump in funds, it will be difficult for the university to survive." On the proposal to set up a university of juridical science, Choudhury said it was a good move. But he aired doubts about the viability of a separate university for science and technology. D.N. Buragohain, a former director of IIT Guwahati, said setting up a science and technology university would prevent "brain drain".
