JNU V-C lauds Sitharaman’s initiative on higher education

New Delhi: JNU vice-chancellor M. Jagadeesh Kumar on Friday hailed the Union Budget presented by the Narendra Modi government as “progressive” and asserted that it will ensure fast-paced development of the country.

“Very pragmatic, progressive and inclusive Budget. It will propel ‘New India’ to greater heights with its focus to bring a qualitative change in the lives of farmers, women, youth and the poor. Proud that our JNU alumna Ms Nirmala Sitharaman has presented this Budget”, the V-C tweeted.

The idea of National Research Foundation (NRF), setting up a higher education commission, focus on massive open online courses are bound to positively affect higher education and research in India, he said.

Presenting the first Budget of the NDA government in its second term, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will bring in a new national education policy to transform India’s higher education system into one of the best in the world. The policy proposes major changes in both school and higher education, improved governance and gives more focus on research and innovation, for which a National Research Foundation (NRF) would be set up to coordinate and promote research in the country, she said.

“The NRF will ensure that the overall research ecosystem in the country is strengthened with focus on identified thrust areas relevant to our national priorities and towards basic science without duplication of effort and expenditure,” the minister explained.