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Pledging to "improve" the quality of higher education in the country during a review meeting with 41 Vice Chancellors of Central Universities, Union Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar today said only nations with great universities will prosper.

Javadekar was speaking, while holding a review meeting of Central Universities in the country here at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

The Union Minister said that education is not only about the subject knowledge, but it's aim is to groom good human beings with qualities like values and character attached to them.

Giving example of great universities like Nalanda, Takshila and Vikramshila, Javadekar said: "Only those nations that have great universities will prosper."

"We also want to give message that we are trying to improve the quality of higher education in this meeting," he said.

He appreciated BHU founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya's vision for establishing the university and said that freedom fighters started educational institutions as a tool for movement and renaissance.

Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Mahendra Nath Pandey, who was present at the meeting, emphasised the need for developing modern as well old education system in the universities.

Pandey highlighted the skill development programmes related to students, giving examples of BRICS countries where emphasis is given on skill development through vocational training programmes.

He said, student centric initiatives should be started, keeping in mind their problems such as scholarship, hostels and admissions that should be dealt with sensitivity.

Presenting the highlights of review meeting, Ved Prakash, Chairman University Grants Commission gave the status of Central Universities accreditation, students enrollment, choice based credit system, universities with potential for excellence and special assistance program started by UGC to improve quality, research and innovation in institute of higher education across the country.

The Vice Chancellors of central universities presented the status of accreditation, choice based credit system, curriculum development, new innovative programmes, research improvement programme and infrastructure development in the review meeting.

They also gave presentation of agenda items, best practices and success stories of their universities.

BHU Vice Chancellor G C Tripathi said: "Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya used the education as a tool for social empowerment which is rooted in Indian values and culture."

Tripathi said the BHU founder also wanted to develop this varsity as a Centre of holistic education.

Javadekar also inaugurated the new Shatabdi Krishi Bhawan and Green Building under the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of BHU after holding the review meeting.