State univs to take up paid consultancy work for industry

WORRIED over the poor financial condition of state universities, the higher education department has mooted an idea to make them self-sufficient—start a training programme for faculty members of state universities through which they can provide consultancy work to industries and generate revenue.

- BINITA JAISWAL @ Chennai

Taking a cue from institutions like IIT Madras, which works closely with industries, generating revenue through consultancy work, the state government has decided to guide and supervise state universities to work on similar lines.

According to higher education department officials, a blueprint of the training programme is being chalked out. The Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) will be conducting the training programme for the faculty with the help of experts from the industry and academia.