Thiruvananthapuram: A group of former Vice Chancellors, who served in various universities in the state, appealed the state government to rework the agenda of the proposed Global Education Meet (GEM), raising concerns that it is aimed at a major shift in higher education.
"The organisers claimed this would transform Kerala into an international commercial hub of higher education. The reform involves a major shift from the existing policy of treating higher education as merit goods to treat as non-merit goods," the ex-VCs said in a release.
This is a fundamental departure from the policy pursued in the state during the last several years, they said in a statement adding, "such a change should necessarily be preceded by serious academic discussion and extensive public consultation in order to evolve a democratic consensus".
"We, therefore, appeal to the government to desist from this disastrous course and rework the agenda of the GEM, drawing upon the rich experience of educational practice in the state," the release added.
The two-day GEM, being organised jointly by the Kerala State Education Council (KSHEC) and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in the last week of January, envisages to transform the state into a hub for international higher education.
The brochure brought out by the KSHEC lays down specific action plan to be discussed at the GEM.
The first is setting up of an academic city and second the creation of special higher education zones in collaboration with international educational entrepreneurs, it said.
The former VCs, who demanded a relook into the agenda of conference, include Dr B Ekbal and G Balmohan Tampi (Kerala University), Rajan Gurukkal (MG University), Michael Tharakan (Kannur University), KKN Kurup (Calicut University), N K Jayakumar(National Law University), J Prasad (Sree Sankaracharya University), K G Paulose (Kalamandalam University), and K N Panikkar (Sree Sankaracharya University).