Universities compete to become world class, taking advantage of new scheme: PM

Patna, Oct 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon all universities to compete for becoming world-class universities by taking the advantage of the Centre's scheme under which top 20 universities would be developed as world class universities with the investments of Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years. Addressing Patna University's centenary celebration here, Mr Modi said his government had decided to make 20 universities -10 each from public sector and private sector world-class universities by investing Rs 10,000 crore during the next five years. He said selected 20 universities would be ‘liberated’ from all government`s rules and regulations so that they could emerge as world class universities. Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made a fervent appeal to Mr Modi to make an announcement for according status of central university to Patna University (PU) during its centenary celebration. Mr Modi said the demand for the status of central university had become an old issue and instead Patna University should compete with other public and private universities across the country so that it was finally selected and developed as world-class university. Mr Modi said 20 universities would be selected and developed as world class universities purely on the basis of their performance, historical background, their role in the academic arena world-wide and other issues and no other factor even by recommendation by Chief Minister of any state would be considered for the purpose. He said a ’third party’ would select 20 universities to be upgraded as world class universities. He said all universities should take the opportunity as a challenge and compete for their selection so that they could take the advantage of the government`s scheme.  UNI