If HRD Minister Kapil Sibal called for an end to politically managed appointments of vice-chancellors to universities,Sam Pitroda,advisor to Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation,expressed disappointment with the government lethargy on higher education reforms. Speaking at the V-Cs conference Friday,Pitroda said the government must act now on education reforms as there has been no progress in this regard in the last five years. He said India desperately needed to devise its own model of education as western models did not work here and focus has to be drawn to the changing role of the teacher. Pitroda said he tried to follow up on the status of the many National Knowledge Commission recommendations,but he was continually told that discussions and consultations were on. Five years have gone by and nothing has happened. there is no need for any discussion,its time to act, Pitroda said,adding that such inaction in higher education was near-criminal. Sibal focused on the institution and role of the V-C and called for their interference-free appointments. Vice Chancellors are appointed at the instance of political establishment. This must end, he said.
