Chennai, Aug 24 — Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore has thanked Chief Minister Vijay for his support and guidance in efforts to revitalise the state’s higher education sector, saying the government’s financial proposals could mark a turning point for universities and colleges.
In a post on X, Tagore said the time had come to fulfil the vision of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, popularly known as Perunthalaivar, who regarded education as the foundation of social progress.
He said restoring the strength and reputation of higher education in Tamil Nadu has become an urgent necessity.
Tagore said universities were facing several structural and financial challenges that required immediate attention. A large portion of available funds was being spent on administrative and recurring expenses, leaving institutions with limited resources for academic development, research and infrastructure.
He also pointed to the loss of revenue from distance education programmes, the freezing of funds by the University Grants Commission and the depletion of university reserves as factors that had placed institutions under severe pressure.
The Congress leader said reforming the sector would require action on multiple fronts. Corruption within the system had to be eliminated, while attempts by right-wing and RSS-linked forces to gain influence in universities should be resisted, he said.
At the same time, universities must be rejuvenated, teachers and professors empowered, and students provided with education that meets international standards, Manickam Tagore added.
He congratulated Higher Education Minister Viswanathan, who is presenting the department’s demand for grants in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Tagore expressed confidence that the proposals would provide a clear roadmap for strengthening the state’s higher education network. He also conveyed his “heartfelt gratitude” to Chief Minister Vijay for extending full support and offering direction for what he described as constructive initiatives in the sector.
Tagore said the financial statement was expected to be historic in scope, as it sought to revive more than 2,150 higher education institutions and over 60 universities across Tamil Nadu.
He added that the government should aim to take the state’s Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education beyond the 50 per cent milestone. Such an achievement, he said, would widen access to colleges and universities and help Tamil Nadu consolidate its position as a leading centre for higher education in the country.