Replying to a question regarding even NAAC ignoring the parameter of teaching over the years, Dr Sahasrabudhe told ‘The Hitavada’ that along with the passion the teachers must be thoroughly aware about pedagogy. Teaching is not merely a physical activity, it involves mental and spiritual aspects too. “The involvement of teachers makes larger impact on students’ minds. Whatever subject they teach they should be able to teach their students communication skills, language etc,” he added. While in AICTE, Dr Sahasrabudhe had come up with eight-module teaching methodology emphasising on understanding the essential complementarities of values and skills.

Understanding the human reality correctly and the inherent inter-connectedness and order in the whole existence, developing a holistic perception of human happiness, prosperity, life-goals, needs and relationships, mentoring and counselling, personality development, social responsibility as good citizens and also as technical professionals constituted the methodology. While denying that quality of education in colleges was deteriorating, Dr Sahasrabudhe admitted that not all institutions were performing well. “Had quality been going down, our students would not have been in high demand in other countries. But, the issue of lack of quality of education is being faced by many colleges. State and Central Governments should motivate institutions to undergo NAAC and NBA assessment, by offering some incentives. Governments should take a stand that institutions failing to do so will not get funds. We are contemplating to apply carrot-and-stick policy in accreditation,” said NAAC Chairman.

Dr Sahasrabudhe criticised the International ranking system for institutions. “It is always said that Indian institutions do not figure in the global list of colleges. I strongly feel that the ranking system is distorted. Their perception is different than that of ours. We connect patriotism to our education but they lack in it. Indians very proudly speak about MIT or other foreign universities, but we miss the angle of diversity in our education system. There is no point in comparing our institutes with foreign ones,” he stressed. India has given momentum to quality but it will take 5-10 more years when everyone gets to see the change, he added. Asked about the rationale of including humanities in technical education, Dr Sahasrabudhe said, “It is a holistic approach whereby students get to know art, culture, tradition, and history. They will get to learn history of science, social science etc.” Regarding the changes, he said that the history of Aryabhatta and sage Kanad also was introduced in the curriculum. “We have scientific culture. Unfortunately, we forgot that and the western countries started claiming that it was theirs. Our students should know the contribution of freedom fighters. National Education Policy has taken care of all these aspects,” he concluded.