Ranchi, May 20: Issues ranging from the autonomy of universities to the importance of skill training to improve employability were raked up at a daylong summit on "Excellence in Education" organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (Assocham) in the city today.

State food and parliamentary affairs minister Saryu Roy, who was the chief guest at the inaugural session, said varsities were supposed to enjoy both administrative and academic autonomy but their powers were being compromised by the interference of the government.

Roy said the government, which gave grants to the universities, felt it had the right to intervene but it was a misplaced concept because the funds came from taxpayers' money and the government was only its custodian.

However, he said private institutions that functioned differently couldn't fill up the void created by the lack of government institutes.

Former Jharkhand High Court judge R.K. Merathia, who is currently the president of Jharkhand State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, pointed out the poor state of government institutions.

"Even a low-paid employee prefers to send his children to a private school these days even if it means facing extra financial burden," he said.

Highlighting the lapses in the current education policy, Merathia said the practice of promoting continually without putting them to any test was harming them. "Why should a student study when he knows he cannot be detained and will be promoted?" he wondered.

Urging authorities to take corrective measures, he said the essence of education lies in drawing out the very best in the students, not in making machines out of them.

Others who spoke at the event stressed the need to enhance the employability of students through skill-based training and catering to the needs of industry.

"We should assess the needs of the industry and train the students accordingly," said R.N. Yadav, vice chancellor of AISECT University, Jharkhand.

Two technical sessions were held later in the day.