Mangaluru : Teachers should never opt out of the field of education after attaining superannuation, Mangalore University vice chancellor Prof K Byrappa said. Post-retirement, teachers should remain active by contributing to the education field in particular and society in general by publishing their research papers and by involving themselves in community service, he advised.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the 31st annual general body meeting and the annual convention of the Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) at Canara First Grade College in Mangaluru on Sunday.

Prof Byrappa said that teachers should guide students to expose themselves to the society and to know ground realities. Stressing on the need for research guides and scholars to update themselves with the new methodology in research, he said that every subject has its own significance in research.

First grade college teachers who have got PhD should enrol themselves as research guides by applying for the same. But, as per UGC norms, those who do not take classes for PG courses are not supposed to guide research scholars. Prof Byrappa said that he, as chairperson of the PhD Regulations Committee of Government of Karnataka, has maintained that first grade college lecturers with doctorates may become PhD guides. First grade college administrations too have a role to play in the matter. They should allow their lecturers with PhD to take classes for their post graduate students, said the vice chancellor.

Prof Byrappa said when he took over as the vice chancellor of Mangalore University, there were 340 research scholars – now there are 1,050 research scholars. The university hopes to have 1,300 research scholars by the next year, he said.

M Vaman Kamath, Canara High School Association alternate treasurer and chartered accountant, opined that there is a need to advocate a change in the current education system in order to inculcate skills and the sense of responsibility among students, which will make them confident when they are exposed to the practical world.

Canara College principal Dr Malini K V lauded the efforts of AMUCT in organising teachers for a noble cause. AMUCT members, meanwhile, urged the government to implement the recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission.

Prof K Byrappa released the bulletin of AMUCT on the occasion. Retired lectures, lecturers who have been awarded with doctorates and special achievers were felicitated on the occasion. Prof Byrappa too, was felicitated by AMUCT.