Antony blames commercialisation for impasse

PATHANAMTHITTA: Defence Minister A K Antony has blamed commercialisation by a section of the professional college managements for the present impasse in the self-financing higher education sector in the state.Inaugurating the Mannam Ayurveda Cooperative Medical College building complex at Pandalam on Tuesday, Antony said that the opening up of the professional education sector to the self-financing institutions in 2002 augured well for the students of the state, who otherwise were forced to seek admissions in other states by paying exorbitant fees. The Union Minister said that the sector was still in an infant stage and problems could be sorted out in the near future. He was hopeful of resolving the vexed issues plaguing the sector through a conciliatory approach by the managements and the government.  Antony said that the state should capitalise on the latest policy changes announced by the Human Resources Development Ministry which give thrust on post-graduate courses in the professional education sector.  He called for initiating measures for taking the state as a destination point for talents with post-graduates and research scholars. The Union Minister complimented the NSS leadership for going ahead with a medical college for modern medicine at Pandalam. He also lauded the achievements made by Pandalam Mannam Ayurveda College in a short span of six years.  Chief Minister Oommen Chandy offered whole-hearted support and assistance from the State Government to the NSS for setting up the medical college for modern medicine at Pandalam.