Bhubaneswar, Nov. 24: Vice-chancellors from across the state met to discuss various issues in higher education here today. The meet was chaired by governor S.C. Jamir who discussed and deliberated on major topics at length.

Concerns were raised about teaching and learning methodologies, improving research infrastructure and addressing teacher shortage.

The vice-chancellors also discussed issues such as campus indiscipline that saw a spurt during the recently concluded students' union elections.

The academicians also wanted amendments in various acts and statutes that are more than 30 years old and needs serious revision.

"The governor stressed on the timely implementation of exams and inclusion of more co-curricular activities for all-round enhancement of the personality of students," said Ashok Dash, the vice-chancellor of Utkal University.

The importance of green campus was also emphasised. The vice-chancellors were asked to make efforts for energy-saving methods and reduce waste to make the campuses more eco-friendly.

The need for embracing technology when required and making the system digitalised for transparency was also stressed upon.

It was recommended that the institutes of higher education must prepare the curricula to strengthen soft and technical skills among the students.

"Collaborations with different institutions were also discussed at great length. The effort must shift from teacher-centric teaching to student-centric teaching, which could be a solution to the present day problems faced by students," Jamir said.

"The shortage of quality students in general streams was discussed. Preference for engineering and medical courses have resulted in lack of quality students in social science subjects, such as history, political science, philosophy and sociology. While seats in these subjects are remaining vacant, research in these subjects has already taken a massive blow," said a vice-chancellor on conditions of anonymity,

The vice-chancellors decided that general courses must be made more attractive by making them employment oriented. It was discussed if there can be an integration of courses so that employability of the students in these streams increase. Various issues plaguing the varsities, such as land encroachment, University Grants Commission (UGC) financial assistance, Rashtriya Uchhatara Siksha Abhiyan (Rusa) and accreditation issues were also discussed.