Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal says they are consumers, to

PUNE: “Higher education has assumed the nature of a private benefit, converting students to consumers. Acknowledging this, we are doing our utmost to ensure that the consumer's rights are protected and that they have easy and reasonable access to funds to finance their education,” said Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal on Tuesday.

“Affordable public higher education is an economic and social necessity. However, the government is presently unable to make the massive investment needed to realise this vision,” he added.

Sibal was speaking at the International Students' convocation ceremony of Symbiosis International Cultural and Educational Centre held at the Symbiosis Lavale campus, where he was the chief guest.

“A measure to evaluate how committed private universities are to serving public needs is how well they promote an ethic of public service - of producing graduates with a sense of responsibility to the global community and society,” said Sibal in his speech.

Ambassador of Columbia to India, Juan Alfredo Pinto Saavedra and Director of Khimji Ramdas Group, Muscat, Pankaj Khimji were the guests of honour at the convocation ceremony.

Saavedra, whose book is to be published by Sahitya Akademi said, “Six MOUs have been signed between Columbian and Indian universities. The future is about interdependence.”

Founder and President of Symbiosis, Dr S B Mujumdar spoke about the difficulties encountered by black students in a colour-conscious Pune that led him to establish an institute for the welfare of international students. “Higher education promotes international understanding,” he said.

More than 250 international students studying in different colleges in Pune and universities in India were present to receive their degrees from the Minister. Some students from Sri Lanka, Ghana, Korea and Mongolia were dressed in their country's traditional costumes.

Principal Director of Symbiosis, Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Vice-Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, Dr M S Raste and President of the Students' council Anushree Rana were also present for the convocation ceremony.