Quality education, innovation & research the key

NASHIK: City-based experts in the education sector, while hailing the state government’s move to add Nashik to the list of five cities in Maharashtra that would be part of the smart city project emphasized that quality education was necessary to develop Nashik into a smart city.
Former coordinator at the regional centre of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Satish Shrivastav said, “The city needs to have an innovation cluster, besides addressing the IT industry and the agro products.A research centre for the agricultural sector is a must as a variety of fruits and vegetables are grown here. Such research needs to come under the department of science and technology of the state government,” he added.
Shrivastav, who had made a presentation to the state government in this regard, said the government should also start short and medium courses for the purpose. Besides, innovation skill development through proposed community colleges should also be carried out in the city. “These colleges would understand the industrial needs and cater to the requirements by grooming students,” he said.
He further said that cinematography, theatre, drama and video production are other aspects that should be focused on for the overall development of education. A sub-centre of SPPU too should be established soon, he added.
Sunil Khandbahale, an innovator from the city, said that city youths have excelled in various sectors and already proven their potential. “The youths have come out with innovative ideas for Kumbh by developing mobile apps which would be used by the district administration for the mega event. If these youths are given a good platform the city has the potential to become the next Silicon Valley,” he said.
Vice-chancellor of the Maharashtra University of Health Science (MUHS) Arun Jamkar said the institute could contribute by becoming a medical instrumentation hub industry.
“The educational institutions and industries may collaborate and conduct various activities in this regard. The industries can study the science behind medical equipment for which the university would guide and establish the hub,” Jamkar said.
Vice-chancellor of the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) Manikrao Salunkhe said, “The university would make efforts to provide skills and vocational education to the youths. Jobs like plumbing are neglected but have a major potential,” he said.
Salunkhe said that water management issues and training students for disaster management are also being focused by the university.