Value based education is the need of the hour.

“Students today are lacking a humanitarian approach and hence value based education is the need of the hour. Youngsters are trapped in the criminal web of cyber crimes, consumption of drugs, liquor and other tobacco based products. The ones away from these ill practices opt for professional education and very few go for research”, said eminent physicist and Padmashri Dr. G.Venkataraman, speaking at a symposium on ‘Integral Human Values Education’ organised at the Kalina Campus of the University of Mumbai this weekened.

The symposium was organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Maharashtra and the Sri Sathya Seva Organisations, Maharashtra and Goa as part of their endeavor to bring into focus the need for integral human value based education in all faculties of learning.

The event was chaired by Venkatraman and the speakers included prominent personalities such as D.P.Sawant, Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education, Maharashtra, Dr. Rajan M. Welukar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai and Dr. Naresh Chandra, Pro-Vice-Chancellor,University of Mumbai, Dr. Snehalata Deshmukh, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai and Dr. B.G.Pitre, leading educationist & Director of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Education.

Venkatraman said that it is a matter of great concern that the next generation does not follow ethical values and the humane approach. Value based education is desperately needed as the future of the country lies in their hands. The youth today is under the unbearable burden of competition in their academics, forcing them to trace on book based studies. Now it is up to the educational institutions and universities to make them adapt to value based education.

Dr. Rajan M. Welukar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mumbai said that it was a high time that universities adapt a value based education. “At Mumbai University, we have also emphasized on value based education and will continue to deliver the same,” he said.

D.P.Sawant,