Higher education should nurture values, not just skills: Sribharat

Visakhapatnam MP and GITAM President M. Sribharat on Friday underscored the need for character building and social responsibility in higher education, alongside academic excellence and professional competence.

Inaugurating the Digii100X Andhra Pradesh Higher Education Leadership Conference, he said universities must go beyond imparting knowledge and focus on nurturing ethical leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to society.

Mr. Sribharat said students should imbibe values such as integrity, empathy and accountability, adding that education must create responsible citizens who can drive positive social change.

Addressing Vice-Chancellors, academicians, industry leaders and policymakers, he observed that lasting societal progress depends on strong ethical foundations and social consciousness.

He said GITAM is striving to promote academic excellence, research and innovation while fostering a culture rooted in integrity and compassion.

Highlighting challenges in the sector, Mr. Sribharat pointed to regulatory hurdles, limited institutional autonomy and the need for closer collaboration among governments, universities and industry. He welcomed the Andhra Pradesh government’s focus on merit-based appointments of Vice-Chancellors and academic leaders.

More than 200 education leaders and industry experts, including Vice-Chancellors from over 40 universities, attended the conference.